Orange shirt day is a day when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada and learn more about the history of the schools and the children that lived there.
The Story behind the Orange shirt:
"I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6 years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!
When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The colour orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying, and no one cared."
Visit Phyllis' Story here!
I am appalled that this could happen and that the last residential school closed in 1996! As an Indigenous woman, who has had relatives live in Residential schools, I think it is so important to get the word out.
Ideas for School Activities
- Watch the Shaw video of Phyllis’s story.
- Discussion around “Every Child Matters.”
- Watch
- Simple activities, eg. Children trace their hand, then write in hand something they can do to help others feel like they matter.
- Make Attachment Hearts to share.
At my schools, I plan on using this freebie to provoke conversation, healing and bring awareness to the staff, and students at the schools I work at.
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