Every year, Canada observes September 30 as Orange Shirt Day. Residents show their support by wearing orange-coloured clothes and businesses incorporate the colour on their buildings. You would have also noticed the slogan “Every Child Matters” on t-shirts, social media, and signage. Using the slogan, residents of Canada honour the families and communities that were affected by the residential school system. Continue reading the article to understand what Every Child Matters and Orange Shirt Day mean and what you can do to support Indigenous communities in Canada.

What does Every Child Matters mean?

Over 150,000 children were forcefully taken away from their families between 1831 and 1966 by the residential school system. They were punished for conversing in their native language, and celebrating their culture and practices. These schools didn’t offer any real education. They offered some part-time courses but mostly, students were forced to work at the school.

Thousands of children of children died in the schools. In May 2021, 215 human remains were detected in an unmarked grave near a (now defunct) Catholic Church-run residential school near Kamloops, British Columbia.

Every Child Matters is a slogan and message used to honour the innocent lives lost. It symbolizes that every child is important, including the ones who lose their lives and the adults who are still healing from their difficult time at residential schools.

What does Orange Shirt Day mean?

Chief Fred Robbins is one of the key figures for developing Orange Shirt Day. At one of his events in 2013, Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a former residential school student, shared her story. When she was first enrolled in the school, they took away all her clothes, including the orange shirt she wore that day. Every time she saw the colour, she was reminded of what she had gone through and that her feelings didn’t matter.

And that’s why, on September 30, Canadians observe Orange Shirt Day to honour Phyllis and other children who suffered at residential schools. The first-ever Orange Dy Shirt Day was observed in 2021. The Canadian government introduced the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action to address the impact of residential schools on children, families, communities, and Indigenous cultures across Canada.

How can I support Indigenous communities in Canada?

While we, as a country, have made some progress in supporting the Every Child Matters movement and Indigenous communities, there’s still work to be done. Here’s how you continue showing your support:

 

  1. Educate yourself and those around you about the issues faced by Indigenous communities in the past and today.
  2. Wear orange on Orange Shirt Day. Join events and activities to commemorate those lost and the Survivors.
  3. Donate to Indigenous-focused charities like True North Aid. We are a charity serving and supporting northern Indigenous communities in Canada through practical humanitarian support. Most Indigenous communities live in northern Canada, where they face severe inequities in health and wellness outcomes, income, food, and housing. To learn more about our programs and how your donations can make a difference, visit here.

True North Aid is committed to walking alongside Indigenous communities by supporting practical, community-led initiatives that promote healing, cultural revitalization, and equity. Together, we affirm that Every Child Matters — today and every day.