September 30 has been declared Orange Shirt Day. It is an opportunity for participants to recognize the harm caused by residential schools to Indigenous children and to affirm their commitment to ensuring every life matters. The day originated from the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad. She had bought a bright orange shirt for her first day of school at the Mission, but her excitement quickly disappeared when school officials took the shirt away from her. Hear the full story below.
Faculty, staff, and students at Burman University gathered on the morning of September 28, 2017 at the Administration Building Auditorium. Each attendee was given an orange shirt, along with material that contained information and resources. Sarah Potts was invited to share her experience. Attendees listened intently as Sarah shared the painful consequences of residential schools on her life and the lives of her family. As the question and answer period began, some earnestly asked how they can be part of the healing process and how they can help mend the broken relationships.
"It is my hope that faculty, staff and especially students take this knowledge and apply it to their higher education skills and share it with others who they may come into contact with, whether that be in the classroom or in their familial or social settings. They can be a part of the Truth and Reconciliation's 94 Recommendations by learning what the recommendations are, seeing how they can apply it to their personal and professional lives, and championing the truth when they are in the midst of erroneous information or verbal misconceptions," says Gina Guiboche. "They need to breach their comfort zones and step out to purposefully learn more versus waiting for the opportunities to go to them. Most importantly, I would love for faculty, staff, and students to process the information on a spiritual level and determine how Jesus would like them to restore His love within their current or eventual relationships with Indigenous peoples wherever they may relocate to."
