First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2021
On September 30th, Canadians and CUPE Local 786 members wear orange shirts to demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation and continuing the dialogue about the traumatic history of residential schools.
By wearing an orange shirt, we honoured the residential school survivors, their families and the little ones who didn’t make it home.
What is the significance of the orange shirt?
Phyllis Webstad, who attended a residential school in British Columbia in the 1970s, started Orange Shirt Day in 2013. Phyllis was initially excited to go to school and went shopping with her granny to pick out a new outfit for school; she chose a shiny orange shirt. That shirt was taken away from her when she arrived at residential school and was never returned to her.
Learn more about the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation here: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Canada.ca
