Every year on September 30th, communities across Canada and beyond recognize Orange Shirt Day — the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
This day is about more than wearing orange. It is a time to reflect on the history and legacy of residential schools, to remember the children who never returned home, and to honor the Survivors who carry forward their truths.
For over a century, Indigenous children were taken from their families, punished for speaking their languages, stripped of cultural identity, and forced into assimilation. These actions were not isolated events but part of wider policies that sought to erase Indigenous peoples from their homelands, including forced adoption, suppression of ceremony, and the dispossession of land. The intergenerational impacts of these systems are still felt today.
Yet, Orange Shirt Day is also a recognition of resilience. Survivors and communities continue to speak their languages, practice their ceremonies, and pass down traditions. Reclamation and healing are acts of strength that remind us: Every Child Matters.
Why Orange Shirts?
The orange shirt is a powerful symbol, inspired by the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a Survivor who shared how her new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at a residential school. Today, the orange shirt represents the stripping away of culture and identity, but also a commitment that no child should ever experience that again.
Our Commitment
As a Native-owned company, EnerTribe recognizes that truth-telling and reconciliation are not single-day events. They are ongoing commitments. We honor the Survivors and families by listening, learning, and ensuring that our work builds trust and deepens connection in the communities we serve.
On this day, and every day, we encourage reflection, learning, and action. Wearing orange is one step — but the greater work is in acknowledging truths, amplifying Indigenous voices, and walking together toward healing.
🧡 Every Child Matters
Recent Comments