NC honours Orange Shirt Day
Every child matters. That was the message on September 30 as groups joined together at the Welland and Niagara-on the-Lake campuses to honour Orange Shirt Day.
Indigenous Education hosted information booths to raise awareness about the residential school legacy and the impact it continues to have on Indigenous people in Canada. Group photos were also taken of participants wearing orange shirts at each campus.
Students and staff members at the Welland Campus form a heart in support of Orange Shirt Day.
Jamie Warren, counsellor, Indigenous Education, noted that the wearing of orange on September 30 honours residential school survivors and acknowledges it as a day of remembrance for the children who never made home.
“During the event, we saw various NC students, faculty, and staff stop by to learn more and show their support. Also, we were incredibly proud to witness five amazing Indigenous student leaders from diverse nations who stepped in and took the lead on spreading awareness on why Orange Shirt Day is so important to participate in,” she said. “Indigenous Education at NC is very grateful for the level of support shown from the NC community.”
Elaine Berwald, an elder who participated in the Welland Campus event, said she feels it is very important to bring awareness to the residential school system in Canada because the last residential school closed only 23 years ago. She noted that many elders are still trying to heal from it, as well as their families.
“I think it’s really important to bring these events into postsecondary education so that we have an opportunity to open dialogue in safe places,” she said. “Education has the ability to be one of the main healers. I really believe that.”
The need for events such as Orange Shirt Day are greater than ever, said Berwald, who works with Indigenous Education at NC to provide support for students as well as faculty, and also works in the community with the Niagara Chapter of Native Women, which includes Indigenous child welfare as part of its portfolio.
There are more Indigenous children in care today than there were at the height of the residential school system, she said.
“This is not past. It’s not historical, said Berwald. “This is why I put my boots on in the morning.”
Student success leader Ashley Buck, on behalf of Indigenous Education, thanked all staff, faculty and students who participated in Orange Shirt Day at NC.
“Relationship building is crucial to the success of our Indigenous students, and we saw that today [September 30] in the collaborative efforts to draw awareness and actively participate in the spirit of reconciliation.”
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake in 2013. It was inspired by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a survivor of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School. The federal government estimates at least 150,000 First Nation, Metis, and Inuit students attended residential schools. Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for the College to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come together.
For more information visit www.orangeshirtday.org/
