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, will once again host Orange Shirt Day 2023 on Unceded Algonquin Territory (Ottawa, Ontario). 

Child drawing hearts and an orange shirt on a rock for Orange Shirt Day

Participants listen to young people from A7G giving Reconciling History tours at Beechwood Cemetery.

Join us for a day of education, reflection, truth-telling and action at both Beechwood Cemetery and Downtown Ottawa!
 

We ask those who are interested in participating in Reconciling History Tours to please register, as there is limited capacity for tours.

There will be no-charge transit from 7am to 7pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023, on OC Transpo bus route 7 at the following bus stops:

  • Beechwood / Juliana (the west (main) entrance to Beechwood Cemetery)
    • Board at à Beechwood / Juliana stop # 7016
    • Alight at à Beechwood / Juliana stop # 8796
  • Queen / Metcalfe (shortest walk to the lawn of Parliament Hill)
    • Board at à Queen / Metcalfe stop # 1512
    • Alight at à Queen / Metcalfe stop # 1228

Beechwood Cemetery Activities

  • Reconciling History Walking Tour takes people to view plaques marking the final resting places of key figures in the residential school system while learning about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action.
    • These tours are available in French and in English 
       
  • Viewings of newly released Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams.
     
  • Opportunities to help advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action by writing letters to elected officials and making art. 
     
  • At 2:00 PM, join us for the unveiling of the Children's Sacred Forest.
     

Register for the Beechwood Reconciling History Tour

 

Downtown Ottawa Activities

  • On both September 30 and October 2, A7G and the Caring Society will host Reconciling History Walking Tours of downtown Ottawa. This is an opportunity to learn about the role of non-Indigenous peoples and the federal government in residential schools and the lessons we can glean from history to address contemporary injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples.
     
  • Please note the Downtown Tours:
    • are available in English only; and
    • will be approx. 90 minutes long, covering 2km.
       

Register for the Downtown Reconciling History Tour 

Spirit Bear wearing an orange shirt

Other Ways to Participate in Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

For generations, residential school Survivors and their families have bravely shared the truth behind Canada’s Indian Residential School System. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission listened to these truths and created a roadmap to reconciliation in the form of 94 Calls to Action to redress the legacy of the residential school system. Within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the Commission called for a national day to honour First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children who both survived and who were lost to residential schools. September 30th is Orange Shirt Day, also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. To learn more about Orange Shirt Day, please visit the Orange Shirt Society's website and read Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's story and listen to her message here. We encourage you to commit to honouring residential school survivors and their families and supporting the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by reading the 94 Calls to Action and identifying ways you can contribute to reconciliation.

Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for education, reflection, truth-telling and taking action, but you can get involved in reconciliation at any time of the year. If you are unable to join in on the in-person events hosted by the Caring Society or in your community, there are still a number of things you can do to honour the day from wherever you are!

Explore the Reconciling History Tour virtually

Learn:

The Reconciling History initiative invites people to learn from the past in the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its Calls to Action. Explore the Reconciling History Tour virtually and learn about the complete and true story of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. 

Take Action:

Share the Reconciling History Tour on social media and with it, share the ways that you’re committing to reconciliation. Be sure to tag us in your post @CaringSociety on Twitter, @SpiritBearAndFriends on Instagram, and @FirstNationsChildandFamilyCaringSocietyofCanada on Facebook.

Write a letter for the full implementation of the TRC Calls to Action

Learn:

We encourage you to read through the Spirit Bear’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action

Take Action:

Using the template provided, write letters to the Prime Minister and your Member of Parliament for the full implementation of the TRC Calls to Action. Mail may be sent postage-free to the Prime Minister and any Member of Parliament at the following addresses:

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A2


 

Name of Member of Parliament
House of Commons 

Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Find the name and mailing address of your MP

Watch Spirit Bear's newest film - Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams

Watch Spirit Bear’s newest film Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams online for free from September 23 to October 2, 2023. This is a NEW film in the Spirit Bear series, honouring the memories of all the children and families affected by residential schools and the veterans who fought for peace and justice for all people in Canada.

You can also watch the film Spirit Bear and Children Make History, which is available for free on Spirit Bear's film page.

Spirit Bear’s second film, Fishing for Knowledge Catching Dreams is available to purchase and rent through the Winnipeg Film Group, McIntyre Media, and VUCAVU (pay-per-view).

 

Read Spirit Bear's Books

We also encourage you to read Spirit Bear's books: Spirit Bear and Children Make History, Spirit Bear: Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams, Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams and Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past (available in French, English and select Indigenous languages).

If you want to take your learning to the next level, you can complete the associated learning guides, also available for free on Spirit Bear's Books & Learning Guides page.