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Graduation Events
Celebrate a milestone in Canadian education & history.
Celebrate a Milestone
Join us in honouring – the first B.C. graduates to complete their K-12 education with Indian residential school & Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters history integrated into their curriculum.
Celebrating 2027 BC Graduates
Orange Shirt Society will proudly celebrate a historic step in education and reconciliation with a graduation ceremony at BC Place. This powerful gathering brings together the Class in unity, inclusion, and Truth and Reconciliation.
For the first time in Canadian history, we’re celebrating graduates who have been taught the truth about residential schools and Orange Shirt Day throughout their educational journey – from kindergarten to grade 12.
Tickets not yet available – Stay tuned
Truth
This celebration marks progress toward achieving the ‘Truth’ in Truth and Reconciliation, honouring all children and graduates in a ceremony that unites cultures, honours Survivors and their families, and empowers youth.
“We are putting Canada on notice: history is being made, and these graduates are leaving the school system with empathy and knowledge of what happened to us in residential schools.
For the first time, we’re celebrating graduates nationwide who have all been taught the truth about residential schools.”
Phyllis Webstad
Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.
September 30th was chosen for Orange Shirt Day because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes & 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 First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
It all started right here in the Cariboo, and as a result, School District No. 27 was chosen by the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) to pilot curriculum changes for all Grade 5 and Grade 10 students reflecting the residential school experience, which have now been implemented province-wide.
Unite Cultures
Honours Survivors and their families, and brings communities together in a powerful ceremony of reconciliation.
Empower Youth
Celebrates graduates with knowledge, understanding, and empathy for Canada’s shared history.
Celebrate Progress
Marks a milestone on the path to Truth and Reconciliation in Canada for future generations.
Every Child Matters
Recognizes that all children’s cultural experiences are important and deserve to be honoured.
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Have questions or want to be a part of this historic graduation celebration?
