National Day

Orange Shirt Day

Celebrated on 09/30/2026

Quick Fact

Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Webstad's story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school in 1973. The day is now observed annually on September 30, which is also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.

Origins and Establishment of Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day originated from the story of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) woman from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation. In 1973, at the age of six, Webstad was taken to the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, British Columbia. On her first day, she wore a new orange shirt bought by her grandmother, but it was taken away by school staff, symbolizing the loss of identity and culture inflicted by the residential school system. The event inspired the first Orange Shirt Day in 2013, organized by the Cariboo Tribal Council, the City of Williams Lake, and local schools to raise awareness about the history and legacy of residential schools.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Since its inception, Orange Shirt Day has grown from a local event in British Columbia to a national movement. In 2021, the Canadian government officially designated September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday. The day is marked by wearing orange shirts, attending community events, and participating in educational activities to honor survivors and remember the children who never returned from residential schools. Schools, workplaces, and organizations across Canada now observe the day with ceremonies, workshops, and discussions aimed at promoting reconciliation and understanding.

Facts & General Observations

  • Over 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend Indian Residential Schools in Canada between the 1870s and 1996.
  • The last residential school, Gordon's Residential School in Saskatchewan, closed in 1996.
  • Orange Shirt Day is observed in schools across Canada, with many incorporating lessons about Indigenous history and culture into their curriculum.

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