Today, Sept. 30, is Orange Shirt Day, which recognizes the effects and intergenerational impacts of the residential school system on First Nation, Métis, and Inuit children in Canada.
Orange Shirt Day began in Williams Lake, British Columbia by the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration project. Phyllis Webstad, a young girl from the Dog Creek reserve, attended the Mission in 1973, where her clothes were removed, including her brand new orange shirt.
Phyllis’ story inspired the Mission to declare Sept. 30 Orange Shirt Day, as this was the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to attend residential schools.
Earlier this week, Mayor George Pirie proclaimed Sept. 30 as Orange Shirt Day in the City of Timmins.
Staff at the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre have been busy making Every Child Matters buttons to help raise awareness. The buttons are free and available at the museum on Second Avenue.
TimminsToday is putting together an orange shirt photo gallery to share with our readers. Send your pictures to [email protected] or post them in the comments below.
