Orange Shirt Day is a day to recognize and reflect on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, honour survivors, and remember the children who never returned home. 

The orange shirt has become a symbol of remembrance for residential schools survivors following the leadership of Phylis Webstad of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, who shared her story of how her new orange shirt was taken away from her on her first day at St. Joseph Mission Residential School leaving her with feelings of worthlessness and insignificance.

As Indigenous children were taken from their families, homes and communities at the end of September, September 30 has been chosen as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day.

How you can learn more:

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)

• Join NCTR for Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025, September 22-26, a transformative five-day journey for students (grades 1-12), educators, and the broader community to engage with the poignant history and enduring spirit of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. 
• NCTR is also hosting daily Lunch and Learn webinars to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada. These sessions will have simultaneous English-French, and ASL interpretation.

BCCIE Internationalization and Indigenization: Tension and Collaboration Dialogues

• Dialogues on Decolonization for International Education: Part One
• Dialogues on Decolonization for International Education: Part Two
• Dialogues on Decolonization for International Education: Part Three

BCCIE Intercultural Dialogue Series

• Internationalization and Indigenization: Tensions and Collaborations