Orange Shirt Day is September 30

Photograph of Na'tsa'maht by Robbyn Lanning

Orange Shirt Day (September 30, 2021) is an annual event where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come together to honour residential school survivors, those students who did not survive, their families and communities, and to reflect on the far-reaching impacts of Canada's Indian residential school system. Beginning in 2021, September 30 will be recognized in Canada as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The confirmation of the locations of unmarked burials at residential schools across Canada in 2021, has further emphasized the ongoing and devastating impacts of Canada's Indian residential school system.

The Library's Orange Shirt Day research guide provides resources for learning about Orange Shirt Day, the residential school system in Canada, and related topics. Canadians have known about the atrocities of Canada's residential school system for a long time. It is time to listen, learn, and take action. In honour of both the children who did not survive, as well those who did, take some time today for learning as an act of reconciliation.