September 30th is Orange Shirt Day - Honoring Indian Residential School Survivors

Orange Shirt Day (September 30th annually) was founded by Secwépemc woman and Indian Residential School survivor Phyllis Jack-Webstad. At age 6 she was taken to Residential School, had her possessions taken away, most vividly remembering an orange T-shirt that she loved.

Residential schools are not yesterday’s news; they molded the traumas we are dealing with today. They were destructive. Families, mental, emotional, cultural & spiritual health of entire generations are destroyed because of them. It will take generations to recover, requiring incredible amounts of grieving, condolence, love, support, and justice for Children, families & communities.

For my tótah’s who were survivors; and those who never came home. I am a descendant of survivors; I grieve for those lost generations of our Nations.

They tried to take our culture, they tried to take our language, they tried to take our children to “Kill the Indian”. It didn’t work, and it won’t work. Our love is stronger, and our way of life is here to stay! ✨

Akwé:kon ratiksa’tanó:ron

#SpeakMohawk #Ratiksatanoron#EveryChildMatters #Chaqueenfantcompte
#speakyourlanguage #indigenouslanguage#SaplingandFlint