Orange Shirt Day

In honour of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we invite you to learn about Canada’s history in the spirit of truth and reconciliation, reflect on the legacy of the residential school system, and take action.

The Caring Society, in partnership with Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G) and Beechwood Cemetery, is hosting activities in Ottawa from September 28-30. But no matter where you live, there are still a number of things you can do to honour the day!

Ottawa Activities

We invite people of all ages in the Ottawa-Gatineau region to participate in reconciliation-based activities from September 28-30 organized by the Caring Society, A7G and Beechwood Cemetery. 

We ask those who are interested in participating in events on September 30 to

We invite people of all ages in the Ottawa-Gatineau region to participate in reconciliation-based activities from September 28-30 organized by the Caring Society, A7G and Beechwood Cemetery. 

We ask those who are interested in participating in events on September 30 to please register.  

Activities include:

  • Showings of CBC’s The Audience at Beechwood Cemetery at 7:00PM from September 28-September 30, 2022. The radio show, originally aired in 1978, is a conversation between Duncan Campbell Scott and Dr. PH Bryce detailing their involvement in the residential school system and the choices they made that continue to have deep impacts in First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities.
     
  • Unveiling of plaque at James Hope & Sons (61 Sparks St.) on September 30, 2022 at 10:30AM in partnership with the City of Ottawa. James Hope & Sons published Dr. PH Bryce’s report detailing the high rates of illness and death among children attending residential schools and the failure of the Canadian government to take effective action to remedy despite Dr. PH Bryce’s recommendations as chief medical officer of the Department of Indian Affairs.
     
  • Reconciling History Walking Tours and other reconciliation-based activities at Beechwood Cemetery from 9:00AM to 7:00PM on September 30. The Beechwood Cemetery tour takes people to view plaques marking the final resting places of key figures in the residential school system, like Dr. PH Bryce, Duncan Campbell Scott and Nicholas Flood Davin.
     
  • Downtown Ottawa Reconciling History Walking Tours at 61 Sparks Street from 9:00AM to 3:00PM on September 30. This tour highlights the opposing viewpoints of Duncan Campbell Scott and Dr. PH Bryce.

National & Online Activities

We invite you to find out what events are taking place in your community, but we have also created a list of free resources you can use to participate in Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation virtually:

We invite you to find out what events are taking place in your community, but we have also created a list of free resources you can use to participate in Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation virtually:

  1. You can wear an orange shirt! To learn more about why we wear orange shirts for Orange Shirt Day and for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, please visit the Orange Shirt Society's website and read Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's story. 
     
  2. Watch Alanis Obomsawin’s films such as Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger, Hi-Ho Mistahey!, and We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice. There are learning guides to accompany each of these films that can be found on the National Film Board website.
     
  3. Watch the film Spirit Bear and Children Make History. You can watch for free from September 23 - October 1, 2022!

    Here are the links:
  1. Read the Spirit Bear Plan and write letters to decision-makers in Canada to fully implement the plan.
     
  2. Watch the Reconciling History Virtual Walking Tour videos on our YouTube channel. You can also read more about each of the landmarks on the tour, and their significance to the residential school system in this document.
     
  3. Write a letter to Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce at Beechwood Cemetery (find out how to write your letter here). 
     
  4. Read and download Spirit Bear’s books online for free to teach children about the residential schools and how to make a pawsitive difference towards reconciliation. They are also available in French and in First Nations languages!