Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) acknowledges and honours September 30 as both Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day serves as a reminder of the legacy of the residential school system, the lasting impacts that it had on over 150,000 children and their families, and how it continues to impact them to this day.
Orange Shirt Day originated in 2013 in Williams Lake, as part of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project. It was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band), whose new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at residential school. Her story has become a powerful symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children for generations.
In the capital region, Orange Shirt Day is marked by ceremonies to remember the impact of residential school institutions, and the lives lost and destroyed by trauma. It is a day when people from different communities come together in the spirit of healing and friendship. Victoria Orange Shirt Day organizers Eddy Charlie of Quw'utsun, a Kuper Island Residential School Survivor, and friend Kristin Spray, have been instrumental in raising awareness about the truths of Residential schools for the past ten years. Through their friendship and work together, they encourage thousands of people across the region to participate in ongoing efforts of truth-telling and reconciliation.
"Reconciliation should not be about an apology nor should it be like a holiday or a birthday when we have a ceremony once a year. Reconciliation should be like a river, continuous and always making changes," said Eddy Charlie, Kuper Island Residential School Survivor.
The CRD is honoured to be asked to raise the Xe Xe Smun' Eem flag which remembers the lost lives of residential school children. The design on the flag was created by Bear Horne a WSÁNEĆ and Nuu-Cha-Nulth Artist and gifted to Eddy Charlie and Kristin Spray in 2016. This design is a powerful rendering of truth and commitment to take reconciliation to heart.
"The bear to help us follow the right path, the eagle to help us have vision of a bright future, the hummingbird to keep our mind, body and spirit healthy, and the flower to feed the connection of all these elements,” said Bear Horne, describing the meaning of the design on the flag.
By flying the Xe Xe Smun' Eem flag the CRD is committing to acknowledging the legacy of residential school and standing in solidarity with Survivors and their families.
“Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation are opportunities for all of us to reflect on the painful legacy of residential schools and to honour the Survivors, their families, and the children who never came home,” said CRD Chair Cliff McNeil-Smith. “The CRD is deeply grateful to local leaders like Eddy Charlie and Kristin Spray, whose work in our region has created space for truth-telling, healing, and education. We are proud to raise the Xe Xe Smun' Eem flag in solidarity and reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation and respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples.”
As part of the CRD's commitment to reconciliation, we continue to offer Indigenous cultural perspectives training for our staff that includes the history and legacy of residential schools. This training supports ongoing learning in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 57: A Duty of Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples for All Public Servants.
The CRD encourages all residents to participate in Orange Shirt Day events, wear orange throughout the year, and engage in conversations about the legacy of residential schools, not just on September 30 but year-round.
The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and government partners to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.ca.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492
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