Every year on September 30th, Canadians observe Gchi Piitendaagoziwag Binoojiinyag - Every Child Matters ᑭᒋ ᐱᑌᐣᑕᑯᓯᐘᐠ ᐱᓄᒋᐣᔭᐠm Orange Shirt Day. It is a day to educate and promote awareness of Residential Schools and their lasting legacies of trauma, suffering and genocide of Indigenous People.
In July 2021, the federal government passed legislation to make this date a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
In 2021, First Nations independently located the unmarked graves of thousands of Indigenous children at the sites of former Residential Schools. This has sparked many Canadians to rethink what they thought they knew about these institutions and revisit the way they speak to their students about them. We encourage YRDSB staff and students to wear an orange shirt on September 30, 2021, to recognize the resiliency and bravery of Residential School Survivors and those who did not come home.
Ceremony
This year, on September 30, YRDSB staff and classrooms are invited to attend a virtual ceremony titled: “Binoojiinyag Mikwendaamowin Giizhigad - Day For Remembering Children ᐊᐱᓄᒋᐣᐦᔭᐠ ᒥᑵᐣᑕᒧᐏᐣ ᑭᔑᑲᐟ ” The ceremony is hosted by the YRDSB Indigenous Education Team in association with Indigenous community.
YRDSB staff will be able to stream the event through a Google Live Stream for their classes. (Information is available on the BWW).
When: September 30th from 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Where: The livestream is only available to students and staff.
Additional Resources
- The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a five-day national, virtual event for grades 5-12.
- Learn more about Orange Shirt Day.
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Reports.