The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was originally known as Orange Shirt Day and started in 2013 by Phyllis Webstad. It is a day to honour the survivors and to remember and mourn for the children that never made it back home from Residential schools. Established by the Canadian government, Residential Schools started to open in 1831 and by the 1880s the federal government adopted an official policy that funded residential schools across Canada. When Phyllis was sent to residential school, she wore an orange shirt that was taken away from her and never seen again.
Indigenous children were taken from their homes and if the parents did not allow them to go to school, the parents were threatened to be put in jail. So parents either let their kid be taken away, or be put in jail. Children who attended residential schools had their Native name taken away from them and given either an English name or just a number. Most of the children growing up only knew their Native language and that’s all they knew when attending the schools. Children were not allowed to speak their Native language and many were punished by speaking it.
An estimated 6,000 children passed away at the residential schools. But that number keeps on growing as more Indigenous communities search grounds of the former residential schools sites. In May 2021 in Kamloops, BC, it was announced that there were 215 unmarked graves with children, as young as three years old. The discovery woke the nation across Canada, and prompted other communities started to seek funding and start searching the grounds at former residential schools.
In June 2021, the government passed the bill to make September 30 the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day. It’s not a holiday, but a day to honour our survivors, and to mourn and remember the children that never made it back home.
“Take some time to talk with an Indigenous community, an Elder or a friend to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation Day,” said Kobie Smith.
About Kobie Smith
Kobie Smith is from Haisla Nation, a small community in Kitimat BC. He is one of the newest Hereditary Chief for the Salmon Clan. His Hereditary Chief name is Hemajalas. Kobie is a BCIT Indigenous Student Champion and 2024 graduate of the BCIT Broadcast and Online Journalism program. At a very young age, he knew he wanted to be a sports play-by-play broadcaster. So, in 2021, he applied and got into the BCIT program. At BCIT, he had the chance to broadcast with CFNR in Prince Rupert, BC, at the All-Native Basketball tournament. He also worked on telling positive Indigenous stories and showcasing Indigenous voices. As class valedictorian and a recent graduate, Kobie hopes to be a sports play-by-play broadcaster and be a role model for Indigenous Youth to “chase their dreams and never give up”.
(Photo source: University of Winnipeg)