Recently at Culturally Committed, we have been engaging in many conversations about the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which will take place on September 30th. Often referred to as "Orange Shirt Day," this annual event is intended to honor and remember the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and placed in residential schools, as well as the intergenerational impacts of these events. The day serves as a time to reflect on the legacy of the residential school system, a network of boarding schools established by the Canadian government and churches with the aim of assimilating Indigenous children into Western culture. The schools operated for over a century, with the last one closing in 1996.
During our discussion, the question was posed to our mentors: What does the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation mean to you? In their responses, all the mentors emphasized that, while they feel grateful that there is an official, national day acknowledging the legacy of harm against Indigenous children, it is important for allies to recognize the significance of showing consistent support year-round. It was then that George Harris Jr. of Stz’uminus pointed out that we see passionate fans showing support for their favorite sports teams year-round—hats, jerseys, t-shirts…people don’t think twice about repping their favorite team on any day of the year as a visible demonstration of support and alignment. What if we started thinking about orange shirts in the same way?
Following the event, one of our participants reached out to me to express how George’s words had truly resonated with him, and he felt compelled to share how they had impacted him. He has asked to remain anonymous.
“Just another farmers market, I almost passed this booth by. When I saw what was written on this shirt, it jarred me. Full stop. It was like a lightbulb went off. Intense feeling and couldn't stop thinking about my own children and how I would feel. Had to have this shirt. The first time I wore it, I was unsettled to say the least and a little more than just self-conscious. It wasn't on Orange Shirt Day. It felt awkward. I was concerned someone might think I was just virtue signaling or trying to show how politically correct I was. Today, I think it was George—the shared sports analogy reminded me of this shirt and how I knocked my self-consciousness about wearing it out of me. Show support. Be seen. Be part of it. I bloody well will represent "the team" no matter what the doom loop in my head is thinking or what anyone might think or say or what mistake or stumble I might make. We win or we learn.”
It was George who shared in a previous Teachings Tuesday, "When things are happening in community, there is nothing more important than being present. Simply standing there, quietly observing, is a powerful demonstration of solidarity. You don't need to do anything except show up." I invite you to show up and show your support not only on September 30th but throughout the year. Make that orange shirt a regular item in your wardrobe. Alternatively, you can clip on a pin, wear earrings, or find a multitude of other ways to show that you are a supporter of "the team." That solidarity means more than you might realize.
In learning,
Kim at Culturally Committed
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