AIEP Monthly Newsletter

Also known as The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

We wear orange on Orange Shirt Day to commemorate the Indigenous children who were forced into residential schools and to honor survivors, their families, and communities. The practice stems from the story of Phyllis Webstad, a First Nations residential school survivor whose brand-new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day of school, symbolizing the erasure of her culture and identity. The orange shirt is a powerful symbol for the movement to raise awareness about the lasting impacts of these institutions and to promote the concept of "Every Child Matters".

The Meaning of the Orange Shirt

• A Personal Experience:

  Phyllis Webstad's story of her orange shirt being taken highlights the shame and loss of self-esteem Indigenous children felt in residential schools.

• A Symbol of Loss:

  For many, the color orange serves as a constant reminder of the stripping away of Indigenous identity, culture, freedom, and worth experienced by generations of children in these schools.

• A Catalyst for Change:

  Webstad's personal story became the foundation for Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots movement that has grown into a national day of remembrance and reconciliation in both Canada and the United States.

  Orange Shirt Day's Purpose

A Day of Remembrance:

• It is a day to remember and honor the experiences of Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced into residential and boarding schools.

A Call for Truth and Reconciliation:

• The day encourages conversations and actions that lead to reconciliation, recognizing the harm done by the residential school system and supporting survivors and their families.

• Wearing an orange shirt spreads messages of hope and acceptance, emphasizing the importance of every child's life and well-being.

It's not easy to teach kids about the hardships Native kids faced throughout history. Molly of Denali creators made an episode that beautifully starts the conversation:

1. Educate yourself and create a plan on how to best teach your students.
2. Wear orange on Tuesday September 30, 2025 to show solidarity with the cause.
3. Snap a group picture!