Hello you lovely people! Just a message from the new council to you! Tomorrow is Orange Shirt day. If you have orange you should definitely wear it! Have a read below and check out what the day is all about. What is Orange Shirt Day? On orange shirt day we wear an orange shirt to honour those who survived Canadas residential schools and remember those who did not. It was event that was created to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. Why September 30th? The end of September was when Aboriginal children were mandated by law to return to residential schools every year. Why the colour orange? It relates to the experience of one survivor, Phyllis, story: “I went to the Mission for one year. I had just turned 6 years old. We never had very much money, and there was no welfare, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission School in. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had eyelets and lace, and I felt so pretty in that shirt and excited to be going to school! Of course, when I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt. I never saw it again, except on other kids. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! Since then the colour orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. “I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years. Even now, when I know nothing could be further from the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter. Even with all the work I’ve done! “I am honoured to be able to tell my story so that others may benefit and understand, and maybe other survivors will feel comfortable enough to share their stories. I want my orange shirt back!” —Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, Dog Creek, BC
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 18:34:41 +0000
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