Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters
Each year, on September 30th, communities across Turtle Island mark Orange Shirt Day – the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors of residential schools, their families and the children who never came home.
This day reminds us that the legacy of colonialism and residential schools is not just a historical wound, it is a living, ongoing reality for Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. At KAIROS, we stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities in their calls for justice, healing, action and truth.
The orange shirt, first worn by Phyllis Webstad when she was taken to a residential school as a child, has become a powerful symbol of the loss, the trauma and the strength of Survivors. Phyllis’ story is one of many and yet it resonates because it speaks to a broader truth: every child matters. This message calls on all of us to reckon with the past and commit to systemic change.
As the Indigenous Rights Coordinator at KAIROS, I see daily how the work of reconciliation must be rooted in relationship, accountability and action. It’s not enough to wear an orange shirt one day a year. We must listen to Survivors, support Indigenous-led initiatives, push for the full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and dismantle the systems that continue to harm Indigenous Peoples today.
Here are a few ways you can engage meaningfully this Orange Shirt Day:
- Educate yourself and others about the history and legacy of residential schools.
- Support Indigenous-led organizations and initiatives in your community.
- Read and reflect on the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action and ask what role you can play in their fulfillment.
- Participate in local events and ceremonies, listening with humility and respect.
- Advocate for Indigenous rights and justice all year long.
At KAIROS, we believe reconciliation is sacred work. It calls us into truth-telling, deep listening, collective action and transformation. This September 30, I invite you to wear orange not just in remembrance, but as a commitment to Indigenous rights, to justice and to a future where every child is cherished and safe. Because every child matters.
By Brandi Bilodeau – Indigenous Rights Coordinator, KAIROS Canada
