Between the late 1800s and 1996, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children attended Indian residential schools. Orange Shirt Day | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemorates this legacy. Orange Shirt Day is held annually on September 30, to honour and uphold Survivors and intergenerational Survivors of the Indian residential school system, and to commemorate those who didn’t return home.
As part of Orange Shirt Day, there are many activities happening across UBC's Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, as well as around Vancouver.
Attend an event
Throughout September and October, there are events happening such as book launches, film screenings, chats with Elders, art exhibitions and more. Visit the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre's website for the full lineup of events.
Walk in the March
On September 30, Vancouver students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the Intergenerational March. Starting at 11, the march aims to be educational and supportive to the Indigenous community on campus and beyond.
Learn more
If you want to learn more about the significance of Orange Shirt Day, the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at UBC has curated a list of websites, videos, books and other resources to learn more about the impact of residential schools in Canada.
Whether you are on-campus or off, UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies encourages all graduate students, faculty and staff to take the time to learn more about the on-going legacy of residential schools in Canada.