09/26/2025
Content warning: Residential schools, trauma, death
Tuesday, September 30, is Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Tuesday is a day of mourning for our Indigenous peers and communities across Turtle Island. Truth and Reconciliation Day evolved out of Orange Shirt Day, which was created in honour of Phyllis Jack Webstad, a member of the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation and a residential school survivor.
Webstad had received a new orange shirt from her grandmother before going to residential school, but her new shirt was taken away once she arrived at school, despite her protest. Webstad did not wear anything orange for years to come, due to the colour triggering memories of her time at school. She told her story for the first time in 2013 while wearing orange, which inspired others to pick up on the colour, thus forming the movement Orange Shirt Day. The movement exists in order to mourn, remember and honour the hundreds of thousands of victims of residential schools and colonialism.
We encourage you to respectfully centre Indigenous voices, stories, and art, not only during this time but throughout your lives. For settlers, we invite you to do justice by the stories of Indigenous folks shared during this time. Understanding the history of colonialism and how it continues to the present, learning how to amplify Indigenous voices, stories, knowledge and calls to action are all extremely strong ways settlers can support Indigenous peoples.
We have built on a list of resources, events, and Indigenous-owned brands from for our Indigenous and settler followers. Check them out in our post and our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/CCEL
