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The Mayor of Prince Albert, Greg Dionne, has declared September 30th Orange Shirt Day in Prince Albert, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage everyone to wear an orange shirt in honour of the children who survived the Indian Residential Schools in Canada and remember those who didn’t. This September 30th marks ten years of the Orange Shirt Day movement and the third year since Canada declared September 30th the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of residential schools' tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts is vital to the reconciliation process.
The motto of Orange Shirt Day is: Every Child Matters. Orange shirts are a reminder of the residential school system's harm to children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, their families and communities and as an affirmation of a commitment to ensure that everyone matters. Every Child Matters Orange Shirt Day shirts can be purchased at the Prince Albert Indian & Metis Friendship Centre.
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake in the spring of 2013. It grew out of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s account of losing her shiny new orange shirt on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually. The date was chosen because children are back in school, teachers have time to plan, and it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the year.
“This is a day that we can learn about the history and impact of Residential Schools. There are events happening in our community thanks to organizations like the Prince Albert Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, Prince Albert Grand Council, First Nations University and more. The City of Prince Albert is holding a Blanket Exercise on September 28 at the Prince Albert Arts Centre. Participate in community events, watch a documentary, read a book, or listen to a podcast. Reconciliation starts with each of us.” said Judy MacLeod-Campbell, Arts and Cultural Coordinator for the City of Prince Albert
September 30 is also an opportunity to come together in the spirit of truth and reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
There are events throughout the City that will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
- September 28 - Blanket Exercise at 7:00 pm - hosted at the Arts Centre
- September 30 - Prince Albert Grand Council - Every Child Matters Walk at 10:00 am - Walk from River Street MMIWG Monument to Prince Albert Grand Council
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September 30 - Prince Albert Indian and Metis Friendship Centre (PAIMFC) & Navy League Walk at 3:00 pm - Walk from Court of King's Bench to City Hall
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September 30 - PAIMFC & First Nations University of Canada Feast and Round Dance from 5:00 pm-12:00 am - Feast and Round Dance will be hosted at the Friendship Centre
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September 30 - Prince Albert Historical Museum Free Admission from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
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Orange Shirt Day Stencil - Organizations and businesses can borrow the stencil for your window or sidewalk, email jmacleodcampbell@citypa.com
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Judy MacLeod Campbell
Arts & Cultural Coordinator
P:(306) 953-4811
E: jmacleodcampbell@citypa.com
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