TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – September 26, 2025

Guest CEO Message

The Orange Shirt Society was formed in Williams Lake, April 2013, to encourage and support communities, to recognize Orange Shirt Day, and to support reconciliation events and activities. Their goal is to create awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential schools through Orange Shirt Day activities, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”

Every year on September 30th, we are encouraged to wear orange shirts to honour Indian Residential School survivors. Orange Shirt Day grew out of Phyllis Webstad’s story told for the first time in April 2013, of having the shiny, new orange shirt her grandmother bought for her, taken away on her first day of school at St. Joseph’s Mission Indian Residential School. It has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening. Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of truth and reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

The Orange Shirt has become a symbol of truth, hope, reconciliation and a commitment to a better future. By wearing an orange shirt on September 30th, you make a statement to support reconciliation and commit to the enduring truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS.

Through Orange Shirt Day we can learn about Canada’s Indian Residential School System. Learn about treaties and historic and current relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. We can learn about what we can do to participate in events, like volunteering. All ages are welcome to free events which feature storytelling, drumming, orange shirt art, education and healing. Orange Shirt Day events are planned throughout all of Canada. Events like:

Niagara Falls will be illuminated in orange to commemorate the missing and disappeared children who attended Indian Residential Schools.
The third annual “Orange Jersey Project” hockey game took place at Sandman Centre in Kamloops.The Orange Jersey Project commemorates the Indian Residential School experience, witnessing and honouring the healing journey of the Survivors and their families through sports. For more information or to register your team go to https://orangejerseyproject.ca.
Every Child Matters crosswalks amplify public engagement and promote awareness surrounding Indian Residential Schools by establishing spaces dedicated to honouring survivors and commemorating the thousands of children who never returned home.
Quilts for Survivors, a heartfelt gift for survivors to reaffirm that they matter. A symbol of support, respect and love.
The CN Tower, in collaboration with the Orange Shirt Society, is proud to announce that on September 30th, the Tower will be illuminated in orange to mark Orange Shirt Day. This lighting stands as a powerful symbol; of remembrance and commitment to the path of Truth and Reconciliation.
On Monday, April 13, 2026, Orange Shirt Society will proudly honour a historic step in education and reconciliation with a graduation ceremony at BC Place Stadium. Bringing together the class of 2026 in a powerful gathering of unity, inclusion, and Truth and Reconciliation, the celebration will honour B.C.’s first class to complete K-12 education with Indian Residential School history fully integrated into their curriculum.

I raise a couple of points here in our healing journey. Students who completed their schooling at Indian residential schools are not referred to as graduates, they are survivors. Terms like gravesites at residential schools point to a flawed system. Reconciliation will not be reconciliation if the people who were harmed are doing most of the work. We all have a lot of work to do.

These Orange Shirt Day support tourism events have a direct link to tourism. People travel to events and need accommodations, and food. Safe travels to those attending Orange Shirt Day events.

For more information visit https://orangeshirtday.org

Mike Retasket

TIABC Director