Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.The day honors the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
face significant disadvantages and systemic barriers due to the intersection of their race and their disability, resulting in higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and discrimination. These individuals experience disproportionately high disability rates compared to the general population, exacerbated by factors like environmental pollution, systemic poverty, and ongoing racism. Cultural factors like a lack of culturally appropriate services and research, alongside funding and infrastructure gaps, further contribute to challenges in accessing essential services and achieving equity.
- Higher Disability Rates: Indigenous peoples in Canada have significantly higher rates of disability than the general population.
- Systemic Barriers: They face additional “layers of attitudinal and physical barriers” on top of those impacting all people with disabilities.
- Racism and Discrimination: Historical and ongoing racial discrimination and ableism hinder their participation in society and access to services.
- Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Indigenous peoples with disabilities often experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment, lower educational levels, and higher incarceration rates.
- Service Access Issues: They face challenges accessing necessary healthcare, education, housing, and employment due to geographic barriers, funding gaps, and systemic racism.
- Data Gaps: A lack of disaggregated data and culturally appropriate disability support services leads to misdiagnosis and inadequate care.
- Environmental Factors: Environmental pollution has been cited as a contributing factor to high disability rates.
- Social Determinants of Health: Indigenous populations face higher risks of chronic illness, injury, suicide, and death, contributing to disability.
- Colonialism: The concept of “Indigeneity as disability” perpetuates a harmful discourse where Indigenous peoples are seen as disabled regardless of their individual capabilities.
- Indigenous Disability Canada / British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS): This organization provides programs and services to Indigenous peoples living with disabilities, their families, and communities.
- Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM): BCANDS spearheads this awareness month, encouraging support for an inclusive, equitable, and accessible Canada for all
- Cultural Integration: Incorporating cultural practices like song and dance is seen as vital for healing and overall well-being for Indigenous people with disabilities.
- Universal Design: Principles of Universal Design are promoted to create more accessible and inclusive societies, benefiting all users.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honor the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
The Orange Shirt Day movement was started by Phyllis Webstad, a member of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation and former Residential School student, to honour Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors, and to remember those children who never made it home. Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultural identities to engage with the ongoing fallout from the Residential School system.
Premier’s, minister’s statements on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day stay tune here
Statement by Prime Minister Carney on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation stay tune here
Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day – September 30 stay tune here
Mental Health Support
No one should have to carry grief or trauma alone. The National Residential School Crisis Line is available 24/7 for Survivors and their families at 1-866-925-4419.
Phyllis’s Story
Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, is a residential school Survivor. Her story is the origin for Orange Shirt Day.
On her first day of school, Phyllis arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
“The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing,” says Phyllis.
Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On September 30, CLBC joins communities across Canada in recognizing Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is a time to honour residential school Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and reflect on the lasting impacts of the residential school system. It is also a call to action—a reminder that reconciliation is not a single day, but an ongoing commitment to truth, healing, and meaningful change.
Wearing an orange shirt on September 30 stands as a powerful symbol: it acknowledges the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Phyllis and 150,000 other stolen Indigenous children who forcibly attended these schools over the course of 160 years.
The traumatic effects of cultural loss, family separation and mistrust of institutions remain. Recognizing this history, and the ongoing racism and systemic challenges Indigenous people face today, is essential to understanding the experiences of Indigenous communities.
“Every Child Matters” artwork by Wyatt Collins
Over the last few years, CLBC’s Indigenous Relations team has distributed Orange Shirt Day shirts to all CLBC staff. The shirts feature “Every Child Matters” artwork painted by Wyatt Collins and commissioned by CLBC. Wyatt is Nlaka’pamux from the Nicola Valley and has Autism. You can read more about Wyatt and his family here.
Wyatt started painting in 2017 and discovered his unique style in Abstract Expressionism. Wyatt paints with a clear focus that allows him to show emotion through his uninhibited brushwork. In his “Every Child Matters” painting, Wyatt portrays “children on the red road”, which, in Indigenous culture, “signifies a spiritual path and being connected to everything, respecting all our relations, Mother Earth and Father Sky. It reminds us to honour our ancestors. It is walking the right path in life and believing in a power higher and greater than us.”
Beyond September 30
The message Every Child Matters is not just symbolic—it is a promise to ensure that Indigenous children, youth and families across B.C. have safety, belonging and opportunity. It is a call for all of us to consider how we were educated about Indigenous people and how that education contributes to the ongoing challenges of Indigenous people and communities.
Residential School is not solely Indigenous history. It is Canadian history, and we are all responsible to ensure our actions and decisions contribute to a more just and equitable future.
By listening, learning and taking meaningful action, we honour the resilience and strength of survivors and work together toward a future where Every Child Matters.
This is on CLBC Website go to the link here
B . C . E v e n t l i s t i n g s
Or a n g e s h i r t d a y / n a t i o n a l d f o r truth and reconciliation 2026 stay tune
L e a r n i n g R e s o u r c e s
O r a n g e S h i r t D a y / N a t i o n a l D a y f o r T r u t h a n d
R e c o n c i l i a t i o n
Indigenous history
The history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada,
Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada.
Early History
Govt of Canada Information Indigenous Peoples
BC Govt National Day for Truth and Reconciliation information
Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences.
The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.
BC Wide Indigenous Toll Free Crisis and Support Line
