Today is Orange Shirt Day to increase the awareness relating to the residential school experience. The day is held each year on September 30th to commemorate the experience and honour the survivors and their families journey towards healing.
The campaign’s theme is “Every Child Matters” and encourages everyone to wear an orange shirt for the day. Orange was adopted as the campaign’s colour after Phyllis Webstad told the story of her new orange shirt being taken away from her when she was 6 on the first day at a residential school.
The day takes place on September 30th as it was around the time of year when students were taken from their homes and to the residential schools.
The campaign has also branched out as an opportunity for schools and society to talk about anti-racism and anti-bullying.
