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Orange Shirt Day: September 30, 2022

National Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters

Orange Shirt Day, which has now become recognized as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, grew out of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of residential school. It provides an opportunity to annually recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools, and, in the spirit of reconciliation, come together as a community in remembrance and hope for generations of children to come, with the message that “Every Child Matters.”

Read Phyllis’ story in her own words at www.orangeshirtday.org.

Orange Shirt Day is held annually on September 30.

How to Participate: 
Wear orange as a symbol of remembrance. Join and participate in an Orange Shirt Day event in your community. Take some time to learn more about the impacts of Canada’s Residential School System and the experiences of its survivors using the links below.

See more events happening at OCAD U from September 26 to 30, 2022, to commemorate the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Content Warning: The links below contain resources that describe cases of abuse.

Look to meet your basic needs to take care of yourself before and after reviewing any of these resources (a snack, a meal, a walk, etc.). If you’re able, before and after reviewing this content, please consider talking to someone you trust (should you need it).

OCAD University students may seek support through the
Student Wellness Centre
416-977-6000, Ext. 260 | studentwellness@ocadu.ca 
www.ocadu.ca/swc

Should you need to talk to someone immediately:

  • Distress Centre Toronto at 416-408-4357 
  • Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868

Should you need to talk to someone immediately and you are Indigenous:

  • First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 
  • National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419

 

Learn more about the impacts of Canada’s Residential School System and the experiences of its survivors:

Download the above resources in PDF format for consumption at a time that is suitable.