Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day

Submitted by the Institute of Indigenous Learning.

Honouring resilience and community.

Every year on September 30, Canadians recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, this day is also known as Orange Shirt Day—a day to commemorate and reflect on the legacy of the residential school system and its impact on Indigenous families across Canada.

The staff in the Institute of Indigenous Learning recognize September 30 as a day to not only honour our ancestors and share knowledge and understanding of this impactful day, but to also celebrate the resilience of our people. Yes, celebrate. It may seem unusual to find joy on such a solemn day. Of course, we remember and respect the survivors of residential schools, their families and those children who did not come home. But we find joy and celebration in the strength of our community and students for overcoming the hardships in our history and present. We also want the Fanshawe College community to recognize and, together, acknowledge the resilience of Indigenous people across Canada. Being here within the walls of Fanshawe College—learning, teaching, working, graduating—is something residential schools intended to prevent.

We are proud. Proud to say we have over 700 Indigenous students attending Fanshawe College and nearly 20 full-time Indigenous employees working here. We know our ancestors are watching, and we are a culmination of their experiences. So, September 30 will always be a day when we remember, honour and celebrate our gifts and accomplishments.

This year, September 30 was marked by a concert featuring Indigenous musicians Shawnee Kish and DJ Shub, proving that music is indeed medicine.