Join Selkirk College Staff, Elders and students to observe Orange Shirt Day along with thousands across the country doing virtual and in-person events.
- September 30, 2020
- 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Gathering Place Courtyard, Castlegar Campus
Drum Design
Create a design for the Orange Shirt Day hand drum. Draw/paint your design on an orange heart. We'll select from all submissions a design to represent the day and legacy for the hand drum. Once painted, the drum will be awakened and held in the Gathering Place.
Courtyard Conversations
Please join the Elders and Indigenous Services in the courtyard (by the Gathering Place) to reflect on your learning about the legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada, hear stories of resilience and remember that "Every Child Matters."
Every Child Matters
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Jack Webstad, a Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation elder in Williams Lake, B.C. She wore a bright orange shirt to her first day of residential school in 1973 when she was six-years-old. The shirt was taken from her and since then, the colour orange has reminded her that her feelings didn't matter. Orange Shirt Day was started in Williams Lake in 2013 to commemorate all residential school survivors.
Want to learn and hear more?
Please go to the following sites to find resources and stories:
Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC: Holds many records and stories from survivors who attended schools. See artwork, articles, and reports through interactive displays.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) at University of Manitoba: Works with communities across the country to save and preserve Residential School Services.
Read NCTR’s five year report of important work done since the national archive opened.
Watch the recent announcement of NCTR, Parks Canada and the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change designating the Residential School system as an "event of national historic significance.”
The Selkirk College library has various books and online articles in their Reconciliation subject guide.
Learn more about Indigenous Services at Selkirk College and follow #OrangeShirtDay on social media.