Orange Shirt Day: Metro Vancouver events to mark the occasion

Communities across the Lower Mainland and B.C. will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, Sept. 30

Friday marks the second federally recognized Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Communities across Metro Vancouver and throughout B.C. will hold public events marking the occasion, which is a chance to reflect on the effects of the Indian residential school system and the harms of colonial policies for generations of Indigenous people.

Why an orange shirt? The idea comes from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, who had her new, bright orange shirt taken away when she first arrived at St. Joseph’s Mission School in Williams Lake. It’s a symbol of the lack of care and compassion shown to her and the 150,000 Indigenous children who were sent to the government- and church-run schools over multiple generations.

Here are some of the public marches, gatherings and other commemorations in the Lower Mainland on Friday, Sept. 30:

Britannia Centre Orange Shirt Day (9 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Starting at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, the community gathering includes a walk to Grandview Park, ceremonies, words from Nisga’a elders, lunch, a drum circle, crafts and sharing.

The downtown centre is hosting a concert with Indigenous hip hop artist JB The First Lady and dance from Peter White, on the patio at 302 Columbia St.

Mission Orange Shirt Day (11 a.m.)

The event at Fraser River Heritage Park, the site of the former St. Mary’s Indian Residential School, features speeches from Indigenous leaders and drumming. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange and can bring their own drums to join in.

Port Coquitlam Kinsmen Hall (all day)

Tsartlip First Nation artist Priscilla Omulo leads a day of cedar weaving and reflection called Weaving Our Story Towards Reconciliation along with her mentor Quatsino First Nation weaver Leonard Williams and other community partners.

Trout Lake Community Centre (11 a.m.)

The Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society hosts an event with a ceremony, stories, drumming and songs, with things getting under way at the south side of John Hendry Park. All are welcome and orange shirts will be available for sale.

Hosted by UBC applied science and land and food systems, the event begins with a gathering, tea and bannock at the Indian Residential School History & Dialogue Centre and includes a march down the main mall followed by words from elders. Food trucks will be on site and there’s a family-friendly zone.

If you live outside Metro Vancouver, check your local municipal website to see if there is a gathering planned.

Where to get shirts: Orange shirts are available for sale from a wide variety of retailers, but try to ensure proceeds from your purchase are going to the cause. These are the official retailers who work with the Orange Shirt Society.

Vancouver-based Aritzia sold out of a limited-edition T-shirt designed by Salish artist Atheana Picha, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to the society. London Drugs is another B.C. retailer selling the official shirt and donating all proceeds.

Is this a stat holiday? Note that while the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a federal holiday, it is not a statutory holiday in most provinces and territories, including B.C. Schools will be closed but only federal and provincial public sector employees have the day off. Private sector employers are free to make their own decisions about how to recognize the day.

Anyone who needs support can contact the Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis line at 1-800-721-0066 or 24 hours at 1-866-925-4419.