FESA Staff
- Sep 28, 2020

Recognizing Orange Shirt Day

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day officially began in 2013, but the event leading to this day took place in 1973. When Phyllis Webstad arrived at the residential school she attended in B.C. wearing an orange shirt, school officials took the shirt from her and gave her a school uniform to wear instead. This event was the first of many that made Phyllis feel like her thoughts and emotions didn't matter, affecting her emotional and mental wellbeing.

Orange Shirt Day takes place on September 30 each year since it marks the time where children were taken from their families and communities to be placed in residential schools. Not only does Orange Shirt Day provide an opportunity for people to learn about residential schools and acknowledge the experiences of the children that attended them, but it allows survivors to reclaim their identity and lost traditions.

Resources and Events

Virtual College

Event Name: Orange Shirt Day Activity on September 30th
Date and Time: September 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual at Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts in Calgary, AB)
Other Info: We hope to have everyone wear an orange shirt on September 30, 2020, to show support. If possible we want as many students as we can to send in a photo of themselves wearing an orange shirt and then hopefully I can do a collage of Phyillis Jack's picture and post online. But we will definitely have a university community event to acknowledge the event with the university and art community for those who can and want to attend.
Contact Name: Jan Hall
Email: januaryhall4444@gmail.com
Phone Number: 306-537-6313

Phyllis’ Story

Indian Horse Film Screening

Date and Time: September 30, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Info: Online, registration required
Link: https://calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/programs/indian-horse-film-screening/

Eddy Charlie shares his story of survival for Orange Shirt Day

U of C presents "Community Panel: Intergenerational Impact of Residential School"

Held in tandom with the CPL Indian Horse Film Screening
Date: September 30, 2020
Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Info: Online, registration required
Link: https://www.ucalgary.ca/indigenous/orange-shirt-day

Colouring It Forward t-shirt

Proceeds from the sale of these shirts will be donated to Pokaiks - the Children walk and festival which is an Orange shirt day event in Calgary that is dedicated to the children of the past, the children of the present and the children of the future.
Link: https://colouritforward.myshopify.com/products/pokaiks-orange-shirt-to-honour-residential-school-survivors?variant=16355188965425