Orange Shirt Day: A Reflection on Resilience and Reconciliation

I was seven years old when I first heard the story behind Orange Shirt Day. I was sitting in my classroom, listening to my teacher talk about the history of residential schools in Canada. I had never heard of residential schools before, and I was shocked and horrified by what I learned.
I learned that residential schools were schools that were run by the Canadian government and the Catholic Church. These schools were designed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society. The children were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend these schools, where they were subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
I was so angry and sad after hearing this story. I couldn't believe that something like this had happened in Canada. I couldn't believe that children had been taken from their families and subjected to such abuse.
I remember feeling a sense of guilt that day. I felt guilty because I was a child who had never been subjected to such abuse. I felt guilty because I had never had to worry about being taken from my family and community.
I also felt a sense of shame that day. I was ashamed that my country had done this to Indigenous children. I was ashamed that I had never known about residential schools before.
I knew that I had to do something to help. I knew that I had to learn more about residential schools and the impact they had on Indigenous children. I knew that I had to help to ensure that something like this never happened again.
I started by talking to my family and friends about residential schools. I told them what I had learned and I asked them to learn more about it too. I also started to volunteer with Indigenous organizations. I wanted to do anything I could to help Indigenous children and communities.
Orange Shirt Day is a reminder of the history of residential schools in Canada. It is a reminder of the resilience of Indigenous children and communities. It is also a reminder that we must continue to work towards reconciliation.
We must continue to learn about the history of residential schools. We must continue to support Indigenous children and communities. We must continue to work towards a more just and equitable society for all.
I encourage you to wear an orange shirt on September 30th as a symbol of your support for reconciliation. You can also learn more about residential schools and the impact they had on Indigenous children by visiting the following website: www.orangeshirtday.org