Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools, and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. This day is to remember that every child matters, as we continue the discussion on all aspects of residential schools.

This year, Orange Shirt Day falls on Saturday, September 30th. Most organizations will celebrate the day with events on a nearby date that suits their community.

The North Vancouver School District is proud to be participating in Orange Shirt Day activities on Monday, October 2nd, honouring this tradition for the third year in a row.

About Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school Commemoration Event, held in Williams Lake, B.C. in 2013 and has grown from Phyllis' story about her original orange shirt.

In her story, Phyllis describes the experience of having her new, shiny orange shirt taken away from her on the first day of school at the Mission. Since then, Orange Shirt Day has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.

In Canada, the date of Orange Shirt Day was chosen because it signifies the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools. This date also provides an opportunity to acknowledge, helping to pass the story and learning along to the next generations.

How to Show Your Support

There are many ways to show your support for Orange Shirt Day including: wearing an orange shirt, attending a community event, sharing your photos, and continuing the discussion on reconciliation. Please join the North Vancouver School District in celebrating Orange Shirt Day on Monday, October 2nd, as we honour this tradition for the third year in a row.

To learn more about Phyllis Webstad and Orange Shirt Day, view her story and video. For more information, events, and ways to support, please visit www.orangeshirtday.org.

Stay tuned as we share activities happening across NVSD this coming Monday, October 2nd.