Fern PS recognizes Orange Shirt Day

On Monday, September 30th , students and staff from across the TDSB will come together and wear Orange Shirts to recognize the harm that the Residential School System did to First Nations, Metis and Inuit children and to recognize that "Every Child Matters" .

Orange Shirt Day is a movement that officially began in 2013 but in reality it began in 1973 when six year old Phyllis Webstad entered the St. Joseph Mission Residential School, outside of Williams Lake, B.C. The date, September 30th, was chosen because that was the time of year the trucks and buses would enter the communities to "collect" the children and deliver them to their harsh new reality of cultural assimilation, mental, sexual and physical abuse, shame and deprivation.

The impact of residential schools affects every Canadian (Bob Joseph, Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples, 2015). Honouring this day shows our commitment to Reconciliation.

Fern students have been discussing the significance of Orange Shirt Day. Don't forget to wear your Orange Shirt on Monday! What can we all do to make others feel like they matter?