Dear SAW Families ,
ORANGE SHIRT DAY
September 30 is Orange Shirt Day—a day to honour the Indigenous children who survived residential schools and remember those who didn’t. Orange Shirt Day began in Williams Lake, B.C., in 2013 during a commemoration event at a local residential school, where a story was told about a young student named Phyllis who had her brand-new orange shirt taken away on her first day. The orange shirt is a symbol of the many losses experienced by thousands of students and families due to residential schools. Since 2013, the phrase “Every Child Matters” has been used as part of the movement to recognize the value of every child and bring communities together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for future generations.
St. Andrew’s will recognize Orange Shirt Day on Wednesday, September 30. All students and staff are encouraged to wear orange that day (for example, an orange top, socks, shoelaces, or a ribbon). Staff and students will participate in online lessons, and all classes will participate in tying an orange ribbon on a wire frame to remember all children who attended residential schools. These ribbons will be displayed outside in the school’s front gardens. Additionally, each month students will learn two local Anishinaabe/Haudenosaunee words and read stories by Indigenous authors. All of these activities will foster students’ understanding of the impact of residential schools.
Looking forward to the day of truth and reconciliation.
SAW Staff