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Recognizing Orange Shirt Day

FESA Staff


What is Orange Shirt Day?


Orange Shirt Day officially began in 2013, but the event leading to this day took place in 1973. When Phyllis Webstad arrived at the residential school she attended in B.C. wearing an orange shirt, school officials took the shirt from her and gave her a school uniform to wear instead. This event was the first of many that made Phyllis feel like her thoughts and emotions didn't matter, affecting her emotional and mental wellbeing.


Orange Shirt Day takes place on September 30 each year since it marks the time where children were taken from their families and communities to be placed in residential schools. Not only does Orange Shirt Day provide an opportunity for people to learn about residential schools and acknowledge the experiences of the children that attended them, but it allows survivors to reclaim their identity and lost traditions.



Resources and Events


Virtual College

  • Event Name: Orange Shirt Day Activity on September 30th

  • Date and Time: September 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

  • Location: Virtual at Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts in Calgary, AB)

  • Other Info: We hope to have everyone wear an orange shirt on September 30, 2020, to show support. If possible we want as many students as we can to send in a photo of themselves wearing an orange shirt and then hopefully I can do a collage of Phyillis Jack's picture and post online. But we will definitely have a university community event to acknowledge the event with the university and art community for those who can and want to attend.

  • Contact Name: Jan Hall

  • Email: januaryhall4444@gmail.com

  • Phone Number: 306-537-6313


Phyllis’ Story


Indian Horse Film Screening


Eddy Charlie shares his story of survival for Orange Shirt Day


U of C presents "Community Panel: Intergenerational Impact of Residential School"


Colouring It Forward t-shirt


When I Was Eight


Aspen & BGCC Three interactive cultural events

Event 1. Residential School Impact and Inter-generational Trauma in Indigenous Communities and Culture

  • Date: September 28, 2020

  • Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  • Info: Online

Event 2. Resiliency in Indigenous Cultures

  • Date: September 29, 2020 

  • Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  • Info: Online

Event 3. Moving Forward Together: Allyships and Relationships and Round Dance

  • Date: September 30, 2020 

  • Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

  • Info: Online


Calgary Public Library Treaty 7 Land Acknowledgment


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