SHA Orange Shirt Day initiative
A message from Jennifer Ahenakew, Vice President of First Nations and Métis Health
Orange Shirt Day is held annually on September 30 in Canada to honour the survivors of residential schools, and the countless children who never returned home. The day originated from the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) woman, whose bright orange shirt — a gift from her grandmother — was taken from her on her first day at a residential school. Her story and the orange shirt have since become a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-worth experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
In the spirit of ongoing reconciliation, SHA staff and physicians are encouraged to wear orange on the last Friday of every month as a visible and meaningful step in advancing reconciliation across the SHA.
This is a way to remind us and visibly demonstrate that Every Child Matters – all children, including Indigenous children, deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and given the chance to thrive. We can show SHA’s dedication to cultural safety and anti-racism to colleagues, patients and residents, and families, reinforcing the message that reconciliation is not a one-day event, but a sustained and year-round commitment.