Orange Shirt Day for Native Children

3543thrh67 · May 31, 2021, 3:06 PM

I don't know if the Americans do something similar but Canadians have an 'Orange Shirt Day', usually Sept 30. It is to honor the children (some still living today with trauma, many died) taken away from their family and put into residential school.

Here is a bit of info: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us.html

There is a bit of an exception right now. Recently 215 children were found, buried and forgotten, by the people (Churches), that ran the residential schools. I'm not demanding it or anything but a lot of people, especially Natives in Canada, or at least my area, are honoring those children. IF it is something you can and would do, consider wearing one today?

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/remains-of-215-children-found-at-former-kamloops-residential-school-first-nation?fbclid=IwAR0toyraP7TwJG7YVs3SrPhdI7znatyiLGhrI5bUDtOhDYCdBCH0FRlBIOQ

I don't know how much of you know about stuff like Residential Schools, the 60s Scoop (which is when native children were snatched from their families) and many other events. A bit of a google search will probably bring up a lot of this stuff if it interests you to learn more.

SuperiorHuron · May 31, 2021, 4:02 PM

@icanbeyourmuse My son goes to a tribal charter school here in the states. They absolutely do this and will be Tues to honor the children from that school.

3543thrh67 · May 31, 2021, 4:28 PM

@superiorhuron That's great! Not much related to Native stuff is public. For the longest time it was basically not even mentioned and swept under the rug.

Arkandel · May 31, 2021, 5:32 PM

One of the things I like about Canada is that shit like this gets confronted. Basically every nation did despicable things even in their near past, but we're at least trying to do something about it now.

And this isn't over, by the way. For example indigenous women and girls are preyed on at much higher rates than other ethnic groups in the country.

3543thrh67 · May 31, 2021, 5:55 PM

@arkandel Yup! I believe for the female Natives we have a Red Dress day, which was just recently. Canadian Natives still have it hard but I've heard it is so much worse for them in the states.

For those who want a bit more details about Red DRess Day:

https://www.alberta.ca/article-red-dress-day.aspx#:~:text=On May 5%2C people across,family members and loved ones.

SuperiorHuron · May 31, 2021, 7:21 PM

@icanbeyourmuse https://www.saulttribe.com/ is my place of employment. Remind me to take a picture of how we current have a dedication to the murder of indigenous women.

3543thrh67 · Jun 5, 2021, 4:30 PM

I dunno if this will show for people but more on the Orange Shirt stuff. But, this time it is a fundraiser for a charity that helps survivors of Residential Schools:

https://www.facebook.com/donate/190431689646806/10158285217074021

3543thrh67 · Jul 1, 2021, 6:58 PM

Even more on this: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57325653

A lot of people are demanding Canada Day be cancelled (Yeah, yeah, today is Canada Day) but I'm not of that mind. I think people should celebrate Canada but also add an Orange Shirt to the mix and take some time to honor all the children lost. I've never been a fan of forcing people to mourn something because its not genuine then. But, anyone (Canadian or not, Native or Not) who would wear an Orange Shirt today, I would but I'm not demanding it. I would rather it be a choice not an obligation. Even better if it is extended to be worn on July 4th as well, to honor the American Natives who have faced the same thing.