Photo by Charlize A.
Many commemorate the date of September 30th in recognition of the harm caused by the residential school system. The colour orange is typically worn on this day as an affirmation of our commitment to reconcile. As a way of acknowledging this day, on September 28th, students in WECDSB schools will be sporting their orange shirts in support.
In 2013, the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event started in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, which left the legacy of orange shirts based off of Phyllis’ story, having her shiny new orange shirt taken away from her on the first day of school.
September 30th falls around the time of year when the children were taken to the residential schools as well as addressing anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the upcoming school year. This is an opportunity for the community to remember the survivors and the children who never returned home, the families who were left behind, as well as giving first nations, local governments and schools to come together in the spirit of reconciliation, passing on the story and learning for the generations to come.