On September 30th, we stand together to remember the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools in Canada. More than just a date on the calendar, Orange Shirt Day is a movement, a day to honor the survivors and those children who never returned home.
Its name originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad, a Stswecem’c (Shuswap) woman who, on her first day at a residential school, had her brand-new orange shirt taken away from her. The orange shirt has since become a powerful symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-worth from Indigenous children, and a symbol of resilience.
Beyond the specific history of residential schools, this day serves as a poignant reminder that we are all human beings. We bleed the same color blood, and in our shared humanity, we should be more willing to help each other in times of need. The Creator sheds a tear every time darkness and racism rear their ugly heads. In the past, Native cultures were all about the way the Creator wished us to be—living in harmony with the land, each other, and the spirit world. We cannot say we believe in the Creator yet do what the Creator does not wish for us. We must remember that we are all one. You cannot preach with one hand yet do things the Creator would not be happy with. Until we truly wake up and open our hearts, we will never know what it’s truly like to “Walk In Balance And Beauty.”
This is why we, at Us Too Advocacy, are committed to being the change we wish to see in the world. We strive to set an example of what it means to live with compassion, empathy, and integrity. Our mission is to raise our voices in support of all who have been marginalized and to advocate for a world where everyone can live with dignity. We believe that true reconciliation is not just about acknowledging the past, but about actively building a better future together, founded on mutual respect and understanding.
WE CAN do this. Everything is possible if you believe and work towards that goal.
Sean Jerome,
Founding Director,
By wearing an orange shirt on September 30th, you commit to the enduring truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS, every day and everywhere.
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