Orange Shirt Day occurs annually on Sept 30th and recognizes the harms done to our Indigenous communities, friends and family by the Residential School System.

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in the spring of 2013. It grew out of Phyllis’ story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.

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 school year. It also gives teachers time to plan events that will include children, as we want to ensure that we are passing the story and learning on to the next generations.

Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Reference: http://www.orangeshirtday.org/ 

Residential Schools Guide

Prepared by Library staff member Joan Boersma the Residential Schools Guide places many “residential schools” resources at your fingertips.

In the guide you will find books about survivors, documentaries and videos, eBooks, survivors stories and links to resources such as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation where the “Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission” may be viewed.

Residential Schools Guide:
library.rrc.ca/ResidentialSchools

Notre Dame Campus “Orange Shirt Day” Window Display

Red River College Library has recognized Orange Shirt Day with a window display outside the Notre Dame Campus Library. We have also placed a selection of books in the display. Come by and see what is available.