Every Child Matters – Orange Shirt Day

This Sunday (September 30) is Orange Shirt Day, a day for us all to remember and learn from the impact of residential schools on the Indigenous community.

Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for Islanders and Canadians to contemplate what survivors of residential schools endured, and to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for a more inclusive and fair future for all. It is a day that also honours the thousands of survivors like Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, their families, and passed loved ones. 

“Today, we remember the mistreatment Jack Webstad and countless others experienced in residential schools. It was not the proudest moment of Canadian history, but it is part of Canadian history,” said Premier Wade MacLauchlan. “We cannot change the past, but we can face it head on. As part of our collective history, we are all tasked in spreading awareness of the events of our past and to move forward together in the spirit of reconciliation”.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission report asked education systems to develop curriculum and resources on Indigenous peoples and the history and legacy of residential schools. The province has purchased many new books and resources this year to support Island elementary schools in their efforts to include Indigenous content and authors in school libraries.

“It is essential that young people know and appreciate the history of Indigenous people,” said Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Jordan Brown. “We commend Island teachers, students and schools for the tremendous energy they bring to Orange Shirt Day which engages students in important discussions and helps build their capacity to understand and respect other cultures.”

Learn more about Orange Shirt Day here http://www.orangeshirtday.org/ 

Media contact:
Vicki Tse
vickitse@gov.pe.ca