Every year on September 30, a lot of people across Canada put on an orange shirt. Some wear it to work. Some wear it to school. Some wear it to a gathering, a walk or a ceremony in their community. If you have ever wondered where that shirt comes from, and what the day asks of us, this is for you.
We are an Indigenous-owned clothing company based in Saskatoon, on Treaty 6 territory. September 30 matters to us and to the people we work with. Here is what we have learned, with sources you can read for yourself.
Where Orange Shirt Day comes from
Orange Shirt Day starts with one person and one shirt. Phyllis Webstad lived with her grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve in British Columbia. When she was six years old, she went to the St. Joseph Mission residential school for one year, in 1973/1974.
Her grandmother had bought her a bright orange shirt with string lacing for her first day. When Phyllis arrived at the school, her clothes were taken from her. The shirt was never returned.
Phyllis has written about what that colour came to mean to her:
"The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn't matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing."
She shared her story in May 2013 at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion events in Williams Lake, B.C. Those events were initiated by Esketemc Chief Fred Robbins. In the Orange Shirt Society's own words, "What began with one orange shirt has now become a national movement."
Why September 30?
The Orange Shirt Society explains that the date was chosen because it is the time of year when children were historically taken from their homes and families to Indian residential schools. It also falls at the start of the school year, which gives schools a chance to set anti-racism policies for the year ahead.
What "Every Child Matters" means
"Every Child Matters" is the message at the centre of Orange Shirt Day. The Orange Shirt Society says it was chosen in response to Phyllis feeling that she did not matter. The message covers all children: past, present and future, including the children who died at the schools.
When you wear orange on September 30, the society says, you make a statement in support of truth and reconciliation and commit to the truth that every child matters.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 is also the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The two days share a date, but they came about in different ways.
Orange Shirt Day grew from community. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation came from law. According to the Government of Canada, Bill C-5, which established the day as a federal statutory holiday, received Royal Assent on June 3, 2021.
The federal government says the day was created in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. That call asked the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, to create a statutory holiday that honours Survivors. There are 94 Calls to Action in total, and they are worth reading in full.
The Government of Canada describes the day this way: it "honours First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors and their families and communities," and public remembrance of the history of residential schools is "a vital component of the reconciliation process."
How to take part
You do not need to do something big. You need to show up with care. Here are some ways, drawn from what the Government of Canada and the Orange Shirt Society suggest.
Wear orange
This is the simplest step. Wearing orange shows Survivors and their families that you remember. If someone asks you about your shirt, tell them about Phyllis. That conversation is part of the point.
Go to something local
The federal government encourages people to attend local commemorative activities and gatherings. Check with your local First Nation, Métis organization, friendship centre, school division or city for events. Go to listen, not to be seen.
Learn during Truth and Reconciliation Week
The Government of Canada points people to virtual learning programs offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is the permanent home of the records gathered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It describes itself as "a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations." It is a good place to start reading.
Share, carefully
If you post online, the federal government suggests the hashtags #NDTR and #OrangeShirtDay. Share Survivors' words and Indigenous-led resources. Do not share images or stories from Survivors without context or permission.
Keep going after September 30
One day a year is not the whole job. Read the Calls to Action. Learn whose land you live on. For us, that is Treaty 6.
How to buy an orange shirt that gives back
Where you buy your shirt matters. A shirt bought from a big retailer might send nothing back to Survivors or Indigenous communities. Before you buy, ask a few questions:
- Who made it? Is the seller Indigenous-owned or Indigenous-led?
- Where does the money go? Does the seller say clearly which organization receives proceeds, and how much?
- Is the design licensed? The Orange Shirt Society states that anyone creating shirts, hoodies or merchandise that include "Every Child Matters" needs an official licence from the society. It also sells official merchandise on its own site.
You can also give directly. The Orange Shirt Society accepts donations, and describes itself as "Indigenous-led. Survivor-Founded." Its work includes education programs, curriculum resources and support for Survivors.
For our part, we donated proceeds from our RISE crewnecks to the Orange Shirt Society. You can read more about the ways we give back on our community support page, and about ordering shirts in our post on ordering Orange Shirt Day shirts.
Ordering orange shirts for a school or workplace
Many schools, teams and workplaces order shirts together for September 30. If that is you, plan early. We do custom screen printing in Saskatoon with a 10-garment minimum, designs up to four colours, and every order is quoted before printing. Design help is included. We ship across Canada.
A few tips:
- Start the conversation with your staff or students about why you are ordering, not just what you are ordering.
- If you want to use the words "Every Child Matters," check the Orange Shirt Society's licensing rules first.
- If you can, work with an Indigenous-owned printer, and put some of the money toward an Indigenous-led organization.
See our screen printing page or our step-by-step guide on ordering custom shirts for a school, team or event.
A few words from us
We grew up in a small reserve community in northern Saskatchewan. Residential schools are not distant history for many of the people who wear our clothing. When you wear orange on September 30, you are telling Survivors that you believe them. That matters.
Wear the shirt. Then keep learning.
Sources
- Orange Shirt Society: About Us
- Orange Shirt Society: Phyllis' Story
- Orange Shirt Society: Home
- Government of Canada: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Written by XUSI, an Indigenous-owned clothing and screen printing brand from Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory. Our story · What the words mean