Truth and Reconciliation Day: More Than Just a Holiday

Truth and Reconciliation Day, more intimately known as Orange Shirt Day, was officially commemorated for the first time on September 30, 2021. It stands as a Canadian statutory holiday, recognizing the deep and painful legacy of the Indian residential school system. For many, the idea of calling this day a "holiday" may seem cold, even indifferent, to the trauma experienced. But it was us, the First Nations people, that insisted this be more than a day of mourning. It became a day for all Canadians to honour survivors, their families, and communities and to ensure the memory of the residential schools remains a critical part of our reconciliation journey.

It is hard to encapsulate such a profound history in words, much less through the lens of a single object like an orange shirt. But the power of symbols lies in their ability to carry the weight of emotions, stories, and memories — and that orange shirt, first worn by a little girl named Phyllis Webstad, carries a legacy all its own.

The Story of Phyllis Webstad and the Orange Shirt

Caption: Phyllis Webstad in her orange shirt, the symbol that started a movement.

In 1973, six-year-old Phyllis Webstad excitedly chose a bright orange shirt as part of her first day of school outfit. Little did she know, that shirt would forever symbolize a heartbreaking reality she and many other First Nations children would face. Phyllis was sent to a residential school in British Columbia, where she was stripped of her orange shirt upon arrival, replaced with a drab uniform that marked the beginning of a deeply painful experience.

Her orange shirt was never returned.

For Phyllis, it symbolized the loss she and so many others endured—losing not only clothes but a sense of self-worth, connection, and cultural identity. Her story gave birth to Orange Shirt Day, a day to recognize that every child matters. It’s a reminder that, while that orange shirt was taken from Phyllis, the voices of survivors will never be silenced.

Understanding the Residential Schools

Caption: First Nations children attending a residential school, a haunting reminder of Canada’s past.

To truly grasp the significance of Truth and Reconciliation Day, we must first understand the horrors of the residential school system. Between the 1830s and 1990s, over 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forcibly taken from their families and placed in residential schools. These institutions, run by churches and sanctioned by the government, sought to strip children of their cultural identities, languages, and traditions.

Imagine being torn away from the love of your family, from the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of home, and thrust into an environment where speaking your language, wearing your traditional clothing, or practicing your spirituality was forbidden. Children were subjected to unimaginable cruelty, neglect, and abuse, all in the name of assimilation. The scars from this dark chapter of history remain etched in the lives of survivors and their descendants.

 A Discovery That Changed Everything

Caption: The site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, where the remains of 215 Indigenous children were found in May 2021.

In May 2021, the discovery of a mass grave containing the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School shook the nation. For many, this was the first time they had learned of the true horrors that took place in these institutions. But for the survivors and their families, this was a painful reminder of what they had long known—that many children never returned home.

The Kamloops discovery is just the tip of the iceberg. As ground-penetrating radar continues to reveal unmarked graves across Canada, the toll of these schools is being uncovered, one site at a time. What was once described as cultural genocide now seems to reveal something even darker.

 What Can We Do?

Truth and Reconciliation Day is not just about reflecting on the past; it’s a call to action. Here’s what we can do to honor survivors and work towards a better future:

- Listen to and believe survivors: Their stories are the first step in breaking the cycle of abuse.

- Teach the next generation: Shape a future built on respect, understanding, and acceptance. Talk openly about the history of residential schools and encourage a culture that celebrates diversity.

- Understand consent and respect boundaries: This applies not just to relationships but to respecting cultural boundaries and histories.

- Call for action: Ensure that services for survivors are adequately funded and accessible. This includes shelters, hotlines, counseling, and other supports that need to be in place, even in times of crisis like the pandemic.

 Short Facts and Reflection

Fact: More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were taken from their families and placed in residential schools between 1831 and 1997.

Fact: Over 1,300 unmarked graves have been discovered at only four of the 139 federally-run residential schools in Canada.

Fact: The goal of the residential school system was cultural assimilation, famously described as, "Kill the Indian, save the man."

Fact: The official number of students who died in these schools currently stands at 4,120, but the real total is expected to be much higher as more graves are uncovered.

This is not just a history we read about—it’s a shared legacy we all must acknowledge. While we cannot change the past, we have the power to shape the future. By listening, learning, and taking action, we can ensure that this dark chapter in Canadian history is never forgotten, and the First Nations people are always honoured for their resilience and strength.

By standing together on Truth and Reconciliation Day, and every day, we commit to a future where every child matters, where the voices of survivors are heard, and where reconciliation is not just a word but a promise to do better.