Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters

Jun 29, 2024

Brenda Beyal

Every child matters: what they like to eat for breakfast, the color of their hair, where they came from, what they’re going to do tomorrow, how fast they’re growing, their culture and traditions. Sometimes at school, these things seem inconsequential. Orange Shirt Day amplifies the idea that “Every Child Matters,” and that every child deserves understanding, respect, and attention.

What is Orange Shirt Day?

On September 30th, many people will be wearing orange shirts to honor the theme “Every Child Matters.” Orange Shirt Day began in 2013 in Canada to recognize the healing journey of Native boarding school survivors and honors their resilience and courage. In 2021, Orange Shirt Day became National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada. In the United States, September 30th is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. Today, we champion the commitment that “Every Child Matters.”

Why an Orange Shirt?

The story of the orange shirt is inspired by the healing journey of Phyllis Webstad (née Jack), Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap), a First Nations residential school survivor. Her grandmother sacrificed to buy her a new outfit for her first day of school. Six-year-old Phyllis chose a bright orange shirt because it reflected the excitement she felt about going to school. On her first day at the Mission School near Williams Lake, BC, her clothing, including the orange shirt, were taken from her. She never saw the shirt again. The story has opened the door to global conversations on all aspects of residential schools in Canada and Indian boarding schools in the United States. Truth, as hard as it may be, begins the journey to healing and reconciliation.

Impact of the Assimilation Policy on Native Children in Schools

The era of assimilation policy has left its lingering mark on Native people. I daresay that every Native child in our schools today has a parent or relative that attended a boarding school, a system where culture and language were forcibly denied. My husband, my two sisters, two brothers, all my aunts and uncles (except for three), and many more extended family members were part of the Indian Boarding School system. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Laguna Pueblo, states:

“Federal Indian boarding school policies have touched every Indigenous person I know. Some are survivors, some are descendants, but we all carry this painful legacy in our hearts. My ancestors and many of yours endured the horrors of Indian boarding school assimilation policies carried out by the same department that I now lead.”

Celebrate Every Child Matters

To celebrate “Every Child Matters,” we invite you to join us by wearing your orange shirt, reading one of the suggested books, or using one of the associated lesson plans. You can quietly celebrate by seeing each child you meet as a unique and wonderful human being. You can consciously, positively interact with each child and radiate the idea that every child matters through your smile and your eyes.

Books and Lesson Plans for “Every Child Matters”

Books are excellent catalysts to discussion and stepping stones to the arts.The NACI team, in partnership with the Utah Education Network and others, has published four arts-integrated lesson plans to amplify the message that “Every Child Matters.” Utah Education Network’s resources can be found here.
The lesson plans use two books by Indigenous writers.

Fall In Line, Holden! by Daniel W. Vandever
When We Were Alone, by David A. Robertson, and winner of the 2017 Governor General's Literary Award in Canada.

Fall in Line, Holden!

Daniel Vandever, Diné/Navajo, shares the story of a young Navajo boy who, while walking through the school out to recess, uses his unstoppable creativity, enthusiasm for exploration, and freedom to imagine to rise above the mundane. This 2018 American Indian Youth Literature Award book provides opportunities for every student to draw on their own experiences and share their own perspective. The lessons we have developed do the same: they are written to give space to every child to explore, discover, and share, encouraging the message that “Every Child Matters.”

When We Were Alone

A Canadian 2017 Governor General's Literary Award winner, is a book that uses the, “Why?” question to open the poignant, tender conversations between granddaughter and grandmother. It unveils the courage to survive and persevere by drawing on the human spirit’s need to find ways to connect and overcome. David A. Robertson is a Swampy Cree graphic novelist and author whose father attended a residential school in Canada. The book’s focus on sharing truth in a gentle way and balancing truth with the power of resilience leads to opportunities for teachers to build resilience in their own students.

Arts-Integrated Lesson Plans

Fall in Line, Holden!: Dance and Creative Movement
When we dance our own ideas, we show we are unique. We can be creative and express how we see something individually, differently from others through dance and creative movement.

Fall in Line, Holden!: Creative Vocal Play
Exploring vocal sounds through play helps us relate music to personal experience and use our imagination to inspire our creativity while responding to the story. Also learning about the circles of influence and things we are able to control helps us go through hard times with resilience and courage.

When We Were Alone: Every Child Matters
We can be empowered to navigate difficulties and challenges with resilience, hope, and courage. Looking to the wisdom keepers in our own lives helps teach, guide, and support us. When we practice empathy and understanding, we discover our own personal connections.

Walk the Line: Visual Art Collaboration
Let’s use the books Fall in Line, Holden! and/or When We Were Alone to create collaborative visual art pieces. We have the power to control ourselves, how we react, and what we will become. We can gain insight into what we already do and what we can do to make the best out of hard and unexpected situations.

NACI Every Child Matters Toolkit

The NACI Every Child Matters toolkit has been thoughtfully created for you. It has multiple sections: Understanding History, Boarding Schools in Utah, a FAQ, Lesson Plans for Teachers, an invitation, and even more additional resources. This resource can help you thoughtfully decide how best to teach Orange Shirt Day lessons in your community and your classroom. Learning about Native American boarding schools can be difficult so be mindful of your students’ abilities to handle painful history.