SNCDSB Orange Shirt Day in the spirit of Reconciliation & Hope
In Schreiber, Holy Angels Catholic School students and staff wearing their Orange shirts. Photo SNCDSB
September 30th has been declared Orange Shirt Day annually, in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters.
Superior North Catholic District School Board (SNCDSB) schools around the district sported orange on Thursday, September 28 to recognize this important day. On Friday, September 29, SNCDSB staff gathered at St. Edward Catholic School in Nipigon or our system Professional Activity Day. All SNCDSB staff wore wear orange shirts in the spirit of reconciliation and hope.
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake BC, Canada, in the Spring of 2013. It grew out of Phyllis’ Story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.
In Terrace Bay, St. Martin Catholic School students and staff wear their orange shirts. Photo SNCDSB
The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It also gives teachers time to plan events that will include children, as we want to ensure that we are passing the story and learning on to the next generations.
Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nation, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
Superior North Catholic District School Board students and staff all wore Orange shirts to celebrate the spirit of reconciliation and hope because… every child matters!
“Together We Education Heart, Mind, and Soul.”
