National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Orange Shirt Day in Canada

 

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is September 30

  is also known as Orange Shirt Day in Canada. The Canadian government designated this date in 2021. This was done in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action 80 which states that the federal government will work with Indigenous people to establish a statutory day to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process”.

People across Canada wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada. Orange Shirt Day originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation who when on  her first day at St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, her shiny new orange shirt was stripped from her, never to be seen again. Forty years later, on September 30th, 2013, Phyllis spoke publicly for the first time about her experience, and thus began the Orange Shirt Day movement.

Residential schools were established by the government of the day in conjunction with different church leaders. Children were taken from their homes and sent to live many miles away not just to learn to read and write but to assimilate to the dominant white culture.

In recent years many stories have been shared about residential school experiences and have focused on missing children and abuse. Stories of lost children have led to searching the grounds of many schools and the discovery of the remains of many children has it the news calling us all to hear again the grief the Indigenous communities.

Orange Shirt day invites us to listen to these stories and to honour the children who survived the Indian Residential Schools and remember those that didn't. Every Child Matters.

Let us reflect on the Indigenous peoples of Canada and listen to their stories. Let us pray with hope.

(This prayer was prepared and shared by the United Church of Canada for Orange Shirt Day 2022.)

Powerful Christ, we are grateful that you came to us as a child,

who grew out of a community that nurtured, supported, and taught you the way of your ancestors.

You have asked us to do the same: to treat every child as we would treat you, to love every person as you have loved us.

 We are grateful that your power is rooted in love, not force; your strength is displayed through community, not might. You have taught us to work toward a better world where all of creation thrives, and where every child matters.

 On this Orange Shirt Day, we remember Phyllis Webstad as a child, and the stolen childhood of all the children forcibly raised by church-run institutions, known as residential schools.

We lament how these institutions stole from children the opportunity to grow in a safe and loving environment; stole from Elders the opportunity to share their teachings and wisdom with younger generations; and stole from communities the opportunity to live intergenerationally.

 We mourn the children who never made it home,  the communities that were destroyed, the broken hearts,  the stories never shared, and the shattered relationships.

 We ask that you provide comfort to all who are seeking healing and who daily wrestle with the ongoing harmful legacy of these colonial institutions, strength to all who name how colonial powers have harmed us as peoples and as a nation; often at great personal cost, and courage to all who are working toward reconciliation.

 Christ Child, as you grew, you reminded us to always welcome and care for children.

We remember your children today.

We lament and acknowledge the sinful ways that colonial powers tried to eradicate Indigenous cultures within Canada, breaking Indigenous families,  removing children from their homes while destroying communities.

 And we pray for healing,  so that we who live together in this country can also work together to build a better future where all children are cherished, beloved, and given what they need to thrive.

So that we may treat all children as we would treat you, our Beloved. Amen.

 PRAYER:

God of grace we praise you and thank you for the life of Queen Elizabeth II whom you have called home to rest. Bless the Royal Family and comfort them and all who mourn her death. Be with King Charles as he grieves his mother’s death and as he begins his new role as king. May your Spirit encircle all who mourn and keep us safe as we share in thanksgiving for the life of Queen Elizabeth II. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.