In light of the recent discovery of the buried remains of 215 indigenous children at a former B.C. residential school, I am re-blogging this post from September. #EveryChildMatters
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day in Canada, a day set aside to remember the experiences and loss of the thousands of children who were stolen from their families and placed in Indian Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind.
Why orange shirts? Orange Shirt Day grew out of Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually. You can read Phyllis’ story at orangeshirtday.org
Why September 30th? The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming…
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Jennifer's Journal 
Here in Phoenix we have a museum called The Heard Museum that specializes in Native American arts, and they tell the stories of what happened to the native children sent away to boarding schools. In fact, one of our main roads is called Indian School . . . .
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Good to know, Luanne. I love the Indigenous art produced here in Canada. Both of our countries however, could do more in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
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Yes, so true.
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The US also took indigenous children out of their homes, and that atrocity as well as the abuse suffered and the destruction of families and culture are rarely discussed here. My guess is that most Americans don’t even know. Airing the shame of past transgressions is part of healing and change. The US isn’t there yet. I’m glad Canada is acknowledging the injustice and tragedies of the past. A heartbreaking share, Jennifer. ❤
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Diana, I can’t imagine the suffering. Besides the poor innocent children who perished, there are the survivors who are broken and suffering from the legacy of untold trauma. Acknowledging our part in it is a vital first step. Thank you for your heartfelt comment. ❤️
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I was so sorry to see this in the news, Jennifer. Thank you for reblogging. 🧡💙💛
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Heartbreaking.
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I wore a orange shirt on orange shirtday
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Bless you, Joanne!
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Wonderful post.
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I only wish the circumstances that compelled me to share it again were different. So incredibly sad.
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But spreading the word–that is important, Jennifer.
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Thank you!
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