What is Orange Shirt Day and Where Do I Get One?

Every year on September 30th, Canadians come together to wear orange and reflect on a dark chapter of the country’s history—showing support for Indigenous communities and survivors of residential schools. Orange Shirt Day represents a day of reflection and learning, as well as an opportunity for communities, schools, and workplaces across the country to raise awareness about the lasting impact of residential schools on Indigenous peoples. If your child’s school or your workplace is participating, you may want to show your support. But what exactly does Orange Shirt Day represent, and how can you get involved? A popular question from parents across Canada is, “Where do I get an official orange shirt?” Don’t worry—Teachers on Call's online and in-person tutoring team has you covered in the blog below.

While Orange Shirt Day began as a grassroots movement to honour survivors of residential schools, it has since become an integral part of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which was established as a federal statutory holiday in 2021. Together, these observances focus on healing, awareness, and action. This commemorative day offers an important opportunity for education, reflection, and raising awareness about the ongoing impacts of the residential school system. The Teachers on Call in-person and online tutoring team is here to help you support your child’s learning journey, enhancing what they are studying at school on Indigenous education and reconciliation.

What Happened at the Residential Schools?

Residential schools were a network of institutions established in Canada between the 19th and late 20th centuries. Many of these schools were run by religious organizations under government policy that sought to assimilate Indigenous children into the language and culture of European settlers. The broader government policy of assimilation aimed to eradicate Indigenous cultures, languages, and ways of life. This system had devastating consequences, as it forcibly disconnected children from their communities and traditional knowledge. In addition to losing their cultural education, many children were subjected to physical and emotional abuse, making the legacy of residential schools one of profound tragedy.

What is Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada?

The last federally run residential school, located in Saskatchewan, closed in 1996, and The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was established in 2008. The TRC has been dedicated to documenting stories of these survivors and ensure that we never forget this dark chapter in Canada’s history. The TRC’s final report, published in 2015, called the system a form of "cultural genocide" and issued 94 Calls to Action to promote healing and reconciliation​. These Calls to Action focus on child welfare, education, cultural and language support, health disparities, justice reform, and reconciliation to increase government accountability. Call to Action point #80 was the establishment of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is now recognized on September 30, the same day as Orange Shirt Day.

Why Do We Commemorate Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day was designed to serve as a day of education and reflection on the harmful legacy of residential schools. The day is inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, who was born on Dog Creek Reserve and is Northern Secwepemc from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation. At six years old, Phyllis was sent to a residential school wearing a brand-new orange shirt given to her by her grandmother. Upon arrival, her shirt was taken away. This story became the foundation for Orange Shirt Day, key in symbolizing the loss of identity and dignity experienced by many Indigenous children.

Can I Wear or Buy Just Any Orange Shirt for Orange Shirt Day?

Wearing orange is a meaningful first step, but for those looking to make an even greater impact through a new purchase, we recommend seeking out official retail partners or buying directly from Indigenous creators. We'll guide you on how to do this.

There may be lots of different stores offering Orange Shirts for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. However, like with donating money to any charity, you want to ensure that your donation goes to benefit the cause instead of just the company selling the t-shirt. Ordering an Official Orange Shirt will make it easy to ensure that your money is going directly towards an Indigenous artist, vendor or community. If you don’t have time to order an Official Orange Shirt, then it’s important to ask to make sure that your money is being used to commemorate that ideal of Orange Shirt Day, and that it goes towards uplifting Indigenous businesses and communities.

If you are shopping outside of the official list, CityNews has an article on how to ask questions about where your donation dollars are going.

Where Can I Buy an Official Orange Shirt and Support Orange Shirt Day 2024?

When buying an orange shirt for Orange Shirt Day, it is important to make sure that your purchase aligns with the spirit and goals of the event: to honour survivors of the residential school system and support Indigenous groups. 

The proceeds from these official Orange Shirt Day retail partners are donated to the Orange Shirt Society and other Indigenous community partners:

• Canadian Tire – In store and online, while supplies last
• Mark’s – Unisex adult and Unisex youth
• McCabe Promotional
• Thrifty Foods – Available in stores, while supplies last 
• London Drugs – Available in stores, while supplies last
• Aritzia – The Iqaluit-born artist, Saimaiyu Akesuk, partnered with Aritzia to design a limited-edition Orange T-shirt to commemorate Orange Shirt Day. 
• Kit and Kaboodle
• Turtle Lodge Trading Post
• South Island Crafts

You can also order from this unofficial retailer: a virtual market featuring authentic, Indigenous, woman-owned businesses. Support small businesses, sustainability, and Indigenous creators!

• Shop Indigenous Women's Market!

Where Can I Learn More About Indigenous Culture and Orange Shirt Day?

Here are some key resources to deepen your understanding of Indigenous culture and the significance of Orange Shirt Day, as well as ways to engage in meaningful reconciliation efforts.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation - The NCTR’s official page, which is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations.

The Orange Shirt Society - The Orange Shirt Society’s official page, which was formed in Williams Lake by the founders of Orange Shirt Day to encourage and support communities to recognize Orange Shirt Day and to support reconciliation events and activities.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) - The Government of Canada page on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) with links to the reports and government responses.

Every Child Matters, book by Author: Phyllis Webstad (Founder of Orange Shirt Day) and Illustrator: Karlene Harvey (Tsilhqot’in, Syilx, and a mix of European ancestry)

Children's Book Reading For Orange Shirt Day

Explore a selection of children's books, many from Indigenous voices reflecting Indigenous perspectives, that help young readers understand the history of residential schools, the importance of Orange Shirt Day, and the values of empathy, respect, and reconciliation. Consider supporting Indigenous retailers and e-commerce platforms with your purchases, such as buying books from GoodMinds.com, a First Nations family-owned business based on Six Nations of the Grand River in Brantford. GoodMinds.com is passionate about promoting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit authorship and education.

Here are some picture and chapter books to get you started on your journey of learning and reflection:

Picture Books

Métis Like Me – Tasha Hilderman (Lloydminster on provincial border of Alberta/Saskatchewan, Canada) and Risa Hugo (Vancouver, BC)

Take a picture book journey into Métis crafts, music and cooking with friends who love to share. A group of children of Métis descent share and explore all the ways they celebrate and experience their heritage — enjoying traditional foods like bannock bread and Saskatoon berries; crafting with beads; sharing stories, dance, music and songs. One child, though, has grown up disconnected from their history, and can’t join in with the others in the same way. But they soon see it’s never too late to learn, celebrate or become a part of a community in which Métis and non-Métis alike can discover the richness of an often-overlooked culture.

The Green Baby Swing – Thomas King (Guelph, ON) and Yong Ling Kang (Toronto, ON)

Acclaimed author Thomas King returns to picture books with a tender picture book about loss, intergenerational love and the power of family keepsakes. After Nana passes away, Xavier, his mother and Comet the kitten all head up to Nana’s attic to help clean it up. As young Xavier explores the attic, he discovers all kinds of interesting things: an old tricycle, a scrapbook full of photographs, a rocking horse. At the bottom of one box, Xavier finds a strange piece of fabric. It’s thick, soft and green, and it makes his mother’s eyes wet with memories. As Xavier learns more about this keepsake, he discovers more about his family and himself in this gorgeous picture book about intergenerational love and the power of memory.

This Land – Ashley Fairbanks and Bridget George (London, Ontario)

An engaging primer about native lands the invites kids to trace history of the land and explore the Indigenous and other communities that lived in their neighborhoods before they were there. Both creators are Indigenous, and the illustrator, Bridget George is Canadian (and worked on The Tragically Hip ABC).

It Bears Repeating – Tanya Tagaq (Nunavut, Canada) and Cee Pootoogook 

This beautifully crafted picture book celebrates one of the world’s most awesome animals: the polar bear. Evocative but simple text by award-winning musician and artist Tanya Tagaq is accompanied by striking art in this classic counting book. Beginning with 1 proud polar bear standing tall and ending with 10 bears waving goodbye, this delightful counting book shows polar bears in all their forms: slippery and fast, crafty and cool, hungry and proud. Tanya has created a story meant to be read aloud, incorporating simple Inuktitut words and using her keen ear for the musical sound of language.

Middle-grade books:

The Sleeping Giant (The Misewa Saga, Book 5) – David A. Robertson (Winnipeg, Manitoba) 

David Robertson’s award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series returns with a fifth installment, as Eli, Morgan and Emily embark on their most dangerous mission yet, to save the kidnapped animal beings of Ministik and to ensure that these terrible deeds will never happen again. Accompanied by Arik and Mahihkan, as well as the remaining Bird Warriors, they journey across the Flatlands toward the Land of the Sleeping Giant, in search of a long-lost cave where the Green Stars are said to be.

Buffalo Dreamer – Violet Duncan

Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, on the reservation where her mom’s family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she’s running away from one of the many real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families and tried to erase their Native identities. Not long after that, she learns that unmarked children’s graves have been discovered at the school her grandpa attended as a child. Now more folks are speaking up about their harrowing experiences at these places, including her grandfather. 

What Are Some Other Ways to Get Involved and Support Indigenous Communities?

You can do more than just encourage people to wear orange on September 30 to show their support for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation! We suggest that you seek out and support Indigenous businesses that give back. Here’s a few great places to start:

Cheekbone Beauty products – Promotes the representation and visibility of Indigenous people in the beauty industry, and funds the Cheekbone Beauty Scholarship Fund where 100% of all profits go towards providing Indigenous students an opportunity in their post-secondary education journey.

Red Rebel Armour clothing - Uses its streetwear brand to fund its employment service which provides on-the-job paid training in a culturally safe work environment for our relatives returning back to the community from the criminal justice system.

Native Northwest art marketplace - Native Northwest gives you access to a marketplace where everyday connections are created to Indigenous cultures. 100% of the art featured on Native Northwest products is designed by Indigenous artists, supporting their craft, and Native Northwest has funded 300+ scholarships and awards at 20 partner colleges and universities.

More Posts on Indigenous Cultures and Heritage from Teachers on Call

Hungry for more? Find more resources to help deepen understanding and foster learning with these additional reads from the Teachers on Call in-person and online team!

Books and More to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day on September 30 – A post of recommended reads from Teachers on Call’s online and in-person tutors. 

Uncovering Modern Mining: The Future Careers for Students You Didn’t Know Existed - The mining sector is the largest private-sector employer of Indigenous people across Canada.

Seven Women in Ontario Who Impacted and Shaped Canadian History – Including Edith Monture (1890–1996) – Brantford, Ontario, and her contributions to Nursing and Indigenous Rights in World War One.

You can also read our post for June and National Indigenous History Month (NIHM) - Celebrating Indigenous History: How to Involve Students and Families during National Indigenous Peoples Day!

By learning more, participating in local events, and proudly wearing your orange shirt, you can help support healing and reconciliation efforts. Understanding new points of view is an important part of developing empathy, and the Teachers on Call online and in-person tutoring service hopes that you’re inspired to do your part as a Canadian for Orange Shirt Day!