Orange Shirt Day: A Day of Reflection and Learning

At our K-8 school in Seattle, we honor Orange Shirt Day on September 30th as a time for reflection and education about the history and impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities. While the day originated in Canada, it also holds significance here in the United States, where similar boarding schools were established for Indigenous children.

Both in the U.S. and Canada, these institutions aimed to assimilate Indigenous children by separating them from their families, cultures, and languages. Many children suffered neglect, abuse, and loss of identity during their time at these schools. In the U.S., the federal government’s boarding school system for Native American children operated for more than 100 years, affecting countless families and communities. The impact of these schools continues to be felt today.

Orange Shirt Day is inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor from Canada, whose new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at school, symbolizing the loss experienced by so many children. The day serves as a reminder of the resilience of Indigenous communities and the need for truth and reconciliation.

We encourage our students and families to wear orange as a sign of solidarity and commitment to learning about this history. By reflecting on the past, we aim to build a more inclusive future where all children are valued and their cultures respected.

Explore these resources and choose what you’d like to share with your family:

Historical Context of U.S. Indian Boarding Schools 

Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition 

Orange Shirt Society 

Cultural Survival 

Storytime Honouring Orange Shirt Day (Today is Orange Shirt Day by Phyllis Webstad). 

Molly of Denali: Grandpa’s Drum 

Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad answers kids’ questions|CBC Kids News 

American Indian Boarding Schools: A Small US Town Digs for the Truth, ABC News In-depth.