Orange Shirt Day: still a long way to go

October 15, 2026

By Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Sept. 30 was the sixth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, to honour the lives of the children that lost their lives at Canada’s residential schools, and the 150,000 who suffered malnutrition and abuse over decades in the residential school system.

The Truth and Reconcilliation Commission concluded back in 2015 that the schools were central to a state-backed policy of cultural genocide. For more information about Orange Shirt Day, go to www.orangeshirtday.org.

A commemorative event was held in Maynooth at the Hastings Highlands Centre in Emond Hall on Sept. 30, facilitated by North Hastings Children’s Services, Kijicho Manitou Madaouskarini Algonquin Nation member Diane Martin and KMM Elder Noreen Tinney, to provide some insight on how to be an Indigenous ally.

After a smudging ceremony and a performance of the Gathering Song to call in their ancestors to join them from the spirit world for that day’s gathering, Tinney and Martin explored how non-Indigenous people can best be Indigenous allies throughout the two-hour event.

Orange Shirt Day is observed each year on Sept. 30 alongside the federal National Day for Truth and Reconcillation to honour residential school survivors, their families and the children that never came home.

A Northern Secwepemc Nation woman from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation inspired the movement. Her name is Phyllis Webstad. On her first day at St. Joseph Mission Residential School in BC in 1973 her new orange shirt bought by her grandmother was stripped away from her. As Webstad herself said, she went to the Mission for one year and had just turned six years old.

“We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school in. 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! Of course, 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! Since then, the colour 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. 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,” she says.

As Martin said on Sept. 30, “the Orange Shirt became a symbol, because a child’s identity was taken away.”

Sept. 30 was chosen because it was traditionally the time of year when children were forcibly taken from their homes to residential schools. The phrase “Every Child Matters” reflects the message that all children subjected to the residential school system deserved dignity, safety and love, denied to them by the institutional system.

In 2013, Orange Shirt Day was created in Williams Lake, BC and was officially recognized a federal statutory holiday, with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation being so recognized in 2021.

The Town of Bancroft issued a statement marking Sept. 30, saying it was an opportunity to honour the survivors of residential schools, remember the children who never returned home, and reflect on the lasting impacts these institutions continue to have on Indigenous peoples, families and communities. “The Town of Bancroft recognizes that reconciliation is an ongoing journey. We are committed to fostering a community built on respect, understanding and inclusion by supporting opportunities for learning, reflection, and meaningful dialogue about Indigenous histories, cultures and experiences. As we observe this important day, we encourage residents to take time to listen, learn and reflect on the truths of Canada’s past and the shared responsibility we all have in advancing reconciliation. Together we can help build stronger relationships and a more inclusive future for all. Every Child Matters” they said in their posting.

Artist Henry Melissa Gordon was there and said she was so glad to be there for the gathering.

“Diane and Gidge (Noreen Tinney) seem to collaborate so effortlessly and effectively as community leaders. They are such great bridgers between Algonquin community and settler community. I’m sure that takes a lot of grounded work. I deeply appreciated the space they created for remembering the truths of Canadian history, and for non-Indigenous community members to learn some basics about being good allies, and also having time to celebrate Kijicho Manitou Madaouskarini culture, share a meal and visit with friends. It was a rich experience,” she says.

Martin said that she was deeply encouraged by the significant turnout at this year’s Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event in Hastings Highlands.

“One key takeaway that resonated with me was the widespread misconception that these two important days were two different distinct identities not one. I was inspired by the dawning realization that many attendees were eager to learn and grow and humbled by the numerous expressions of gratitude from participants, who credited our presentations and Q&A session with making a profound impact. A powerful affirmation for me was the emphasis on allyship as a deliberate practice, one that warrants daily reflection and action beyond these commemorative days. My hope is that attendees left feeling inspired to become more effective and informed allies, recognizing that even small gestures, such as learning a new word in the Algonquin language, can have a profound impact,” she says.

Tinney echoed Martin’s sentiment that it was great to see so many people in attendance on Sept. 30.

“We had the largest turnout in the history of this event, with close to 80 people in attendance. The thing that stands out to me the most, was how engaged everyone in the audience was. They were willing to share their learning journey by sharing what books, movies, TV shows, etc. that they have found worthwhile. It was gratifying to have so many people come up to us afterward to tell us how much our presentation and comments affected them. This is why we do the work. My only disappointment is that there was not more representation from organizations and area municipalities that have, or take, the day off. They are closed, ostensibly, to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation but I did not see them in the audience. It is not a ‘holiday,’ she says. “My hope is that they were recognizing it in a different way, somewhere else.”