Each year on September 30, the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) joins communities across Turtle Island (Canada) in recognizing Orange Shirt Day – the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
This day serves as a solemn reminder of the painful legacy of residential schools, where Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities, their voices silenced, and their childhoods interrupted. Orange Shirt Day grew from the story of Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken from her on her first day of residential school. Today, the orange shirt has become a powerful symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the belief that “Every Child Matters.”
For the LKDSB, this day carries a profound meaning. We know that the history of residential schools is not a distant story, but one that touches many of our students, families, and staff. Some are survivors themselves, while others are children or grandchildren of those directly impacted. We hold space for their experiences, their voices, and their strength.
While Orange Shirt Day is an important moment for reflection and awareness, our responsibility extends far beyond one day. At the LKDSB, we are committed to embedding truth and reconciliation into our classrooms, our conversations, and our daily learning. By listening, by teaching, and by walking together in a spirit of respect, we honour the past while working toward a more just and inclusive future for every student.
We invite all members of our school communities to wear orange, to take time to learn, and to engage in meaningful reflection on September 30. But more importantly, we encourage everyone to carry this commitment forward — because reconciliation is not a single day, but an ongoing journey we share together.
Every Child Matters. Today and every day.