By: Carlos Haag, FSWC Educator

Every year on September 30, classrooms across Canada fill with a sea of orange. But this is more than a colour—it’s a call to remember. Orange Shirt Day honours the experiences of Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced into residential schools. This system operated for over a century and aimed to erase Indigenous cultures.

The day was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc woman whose brand-new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at a residential school in 1973. That small act became a powerful symbol of everything else that was taken from Indigenous children: language, identity, and connection to family and land.

Orange Shirt Day is a time to reflect on a dark chapter in Canadian history—but also to look forward. It’s about truth, reconciliation, and committing to learning and doing better. In 2021, the day was officially recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—but it remains a grassroots movement led by Indigenous voices.

For educators, it presents an opportunity to help students understand the legacy of colonialism in Canada and its ongoing effects. However, it’s also an opportunity to amplify stories of strength, survival, and cultural revitalization. Activities might include reading survivor testimonies, learning about treaties, or exploring Indigenous languages and art.

Most of all, Orange Shirt Day invites students to think critically about justice, memory, and their sense of belonging. Why was the shirt taken? Why does remembering matter? And how can we help ensure that every child matters—in word and action?