About
Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters
The story behind the movement that started in Williams Lake, BC, Canada.
The Legacy of St. Joseph Mission Residential School
Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in May 2013. This project was the vision of Esketemc (Alkali Lake) Chief Fred Robbins, who is a former student himself.
It brought together former students and their families from the Secwepemc, Tsilhqot’in, Southern Dakelh and St’at’imc Nations along with the Cariboo Regional District, the Mayors and municipalities, School Districts and civic organisations in the Cariboo Region.
The events were designed to commemorate the Indian residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of truth & reconciliation. Chief Justice Murray Sinclair challenged all of the participants to keep the reconciliation process alive, as a result of the realization that every former student had similar truths.
How Orange Shirt Day Grew From Her Courage to Speak
Following the commemoration event, Phyllis’s story gained traction on social media, leading to the creation of Orange Shirt Day. (Wikipedia document) What began as one woman’s courage to speak her truth became a national movement.
The date of September 30th was chosen because it represents the time of year when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes to residential schools.
Phyllis’ Story Becomes the Foundation
Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters is a legacy of this project. As spokesperson for the Reunion group leading up to the events, former student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad told her story of her first day at residential school when her shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year old girl.
Her bright orange shirt symbolized love, excitement, and belonging. When it was taken away, it represented how the system tried to strip away identity, culture, and the fundamental truth that Every Child Matters.
September 30th: A Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The annual Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Indian residential schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects and legacy of the schools, a discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for truth & reconciliation.
Every Child Matters
Since May 2025, Every Child Matters is a registered Trademark protected by the Orange Shirt Society.
Every Child Matters is the chosen theme and one of the core guiding principles for the Orange Shirt Society. It was chosen in response to Phyllis feeling that she did not matter. This message reminds Survivors that they are important and they matter. Every Child Matters extends beyond Indian residential school Survivors and their families, to include all children. Every Child Matters also includes those children who died at, or a result of, the schools. It is for all children: past, present, and future.
September 30th was chosen for Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes and their families to Indian residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It is an opportunity for Indigenous peoples, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Together, they ensure September 30th honours the past while building pathways forward.
Join us in Action
On September 30th, we call upon everyone to listen with open hearts to the truths of survivors and their families, and to remember those that didn’t make it home.