The UBC community joins Canadians this month to mark Orange Shirt Day, an annual day raising awareness of the history and consequences of Canada's residential school system.
Every year on Sept. 30 people across Canada wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to engage with the legacies of the residential school system and show their solidarity. The Orange Shirt Day movement was started by Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation and a former residential school student to honour survivors and intergenerational survivors and remember the children who never made it home.
Local events and initiatives on both UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses not only educate, but allow time for personal reflection. Activities and events for students, faculty and staff include an intergenerational march at UBC Vancouver Sept. 30 to commemorate the day, in addition to book launches, film screenings, crafting, lectures and public activities in September and October.
Read more about Orange Shirt Day at UBC.