September 30 is National Truth and Reconciliation Day, or Orange Shirt Day across Canada. Orange Shirt Day was first recognized ten years ago by the Williams Lake community in British Columbia. Past students and their families and others gathered to remember the St. Joseph Mission Residential School to remember the past, acknowledge their healing, and commit to reconciliation. Phyllis Webstand shared her story and that of her orange shirt, which is how the day got the name Orange Shirt Day. Below is an excerpt from Phyllis’ story as recounted on the Orange Shirt Society’s website, an organization she founded:

“I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6 years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!

When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! 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. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.

“I was 13 years old and in grade 8 when my son Jeremy was born. Because my grandmother and mother both attended residential school for 10 years each, I never knew what a parent was supposed to be like. With the help of my aunt, Agness Jack, I was able to raise my son and have him know me as his mother.

I went to a treatment centre for healing when I was 27 and have been on this healing journey since then. I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years. Even now, when I know nothing could be further than the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter. Even with all the work I’ve done!”

Phyllis’ story is one of many stories survivors of residentail schools have and need to tell. Stories of trauma, healing, resilience, hope, and strength. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was convened as part of the Residential Schools’ Survivors Settlement Agreement with the federal government. Its aim was to educate Canadians about the history and legacies of residential schools across Canada. Truth-telling was an important part of the Commission’s work and a final report was submitted in 2015 after holding hundreds of interviews with survivors and their families. It prompted Canadians to reckon with this history and commit to restoring right relationships with Indigneous peoples and nations so we can move forward.

Residential schools were part of the Government of Canada's official plan to steal Indigenous peoples’ land and disregard their rights. Children were taken from their families and nations and forced to live in homes run by Christian settlers. It was the government’s intent to destroy familial and cultural relationships by physically and emotionally separating Indigenous children from their families, cultures, and nations. Horrifying stories of physical, sexual, emotional, and spiritual abuse were documented by the Commissioners and their final report forced Canadians to face the atrocities committed by an official government policy. 

We can commit ourselves both personally and in organizations to honesty and repairing relationships. This commitment will be different for each person and organization. For me, this includes reading and learning more and supporting Indigenous businesses and organizations. For example, on last year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, my Mom and I watched the national ceremony together on television and we had a great discussion on the meaning and significance of the day. She shared with me that although she has lived in Canada for 52 years, she did not know anything about the residential school system and its horrors. 

Let’s continue to remember the past and hope for a better future that is rooted in respect for each other, the land, and our communities. Let’s seek justice for Indigenous peoples and their nations. And let’s commit to dismantling systems of oppression together.

Thanks for reading my blog today and let me know how you are seeking to achieve truth and reconciliation personally or in your organization.

Michelle

michelle@mvdconsulting.ca