For the past six years, Betty Jean Phillips Budden has helped organize Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremonies at city hall. Budden, who identifies with Oneida Nation of the Thames, will never forget the event in 2021 that propelled her into action.
She remembered all the tears that flowed in late May of that year when about 200 potential burial sites were discovered at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
That led to organizing, along with good friend Amanda Stark (pictured at left in photo), the annual Sept. 30 event in St. Thomas.
At this year’s commemoration, area residents and visitors are invited to attend city hall and Westlake-Evans Civic Park for an afternoon of reflection, learning, and connection.
Stark stresses the afternoon is not just a ceremony to honour the survivors of residential schools, remember the children who never returned home, and recognize the lasting impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities.
Stark spotlights activities planned for the event.
Downtown St. Thomas businesses are coming together to help the community learn and reflect ahead of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
A community Story Walk is set up throughout downtown through October 12, featuring Phyllis’ Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad.
Stark explains why she got involved in Orange Shirt Day.
Stark adds, “I hope that everyone will come out for a piece of the day, even if you can’t stay for the full day. We have lots going on, but it’s kind of on purpose. You don’t have to stay for the whole thing. Just drop in for the education piece and honoring the culture and the stories.”
“It has been inspiring to see this gathering grow year after year, with more members of our community coming together to learn, reflect, and stand alongside one another,” adds Mayor Joe Preston.
More details can be found at https://www.stthomas.ca/news/what_s_new/orange_shirt_day_2026
Written by Ian McCallum
