Seeing only a mere dotting of orange to recognize Indigenous residential school survivors last year prompted Vernon schools into action.
“Last year, we recognized that many of our students were not wearing orange shirts on Orange Shirt Day,” said Dave Lafontaine, principal of Indigenous education. “So, we conducted a T-shirt design contest in the spring and selected a winner.”
More than 200 designs were submitted, with each school selecting a winner.
The result is an array of unique designs, one from each of the 20 schools in the district, that showcases what orange shirt day means to them.
In preparation for Orange Shirt Day on Saturday, Sept. 30, School District 22 has set up a display in their offices to showcase the creativity of students, in recognition of the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices.
Orange Shirt Day is now known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as the provincial government has now given it holiday status for schools and businesses, in an effort to recognize the legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system.
“This year is the first year that every student has to have four credits in an Indigenous course in order to graduate,” said Lafontaine.
“It’s the only place in Canada and its a big big move for the province, in an effort to educate the youth.”
The shirts are for sale in each school.
Over the past three years, donations from profits of shirts sold have amounted to $4,411, with proceeds going towards the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
Students and staff are encouraged to wear their orange shirt on Friday, Sept. 29.
READ MORE: School staff make space for Indigenous stories in Vernon
READ MORE: Splatsin orange shirt sales raise $10,000 for Enderby monument
