NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
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On Friday, Sept. 22, students and staff across the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) are participating in Orange Shirt Day, wearing orange shirts and starting conversations regarding residential schools. The day is recognized nationally on Sept. 30.
“As we move forward in the spirit of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians, it is critical that we understand our history, which includes residential schools, and how it affects students today,” says Alison Bradshaw, principal, Indigenous Education. “Orange Shirt Day is a great visual way to honour those who attended while educating our students.”
The Orange Shirt Day, Every Child Matters campaign is a commitment to ongoing reconciliation in Canada, and brings awareness to the former students of residential schools.
Orange Shirt Day began in 2013 during the St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project in Williams Lake, B.C., when Phyllis (Jack) Webstad told the story of her first day at residential school as a six-year-old girl. Her new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken away from her.
Schools that are holding an event or assembly on Friday include:
- Admiral Collingwood Elementary School
- Barrie North Collegiate Institute
- Cookstown Central Public School
- Cundles Heights Public School
- Hewitt’s Creek Public School
- Innisdale Secondary School
- Lions Oval Public School
- Maple Grove Public School
Staff, students, guests and media are welcome to participate in a self-guided residential school awareness walk at the Education Centre throughout the day on Friday. Poster displays will be set-up in the Atrium for participants to view and follow.
For more information on the campaign, please visit: www.orangeshirtday.org
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