09/30/2026
Every Child Matters.
At Auvik, we believe in building a culture where learning, respect, and standing up for what’s right are non-negotiable. On September 30th, we recognize Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
For more than a century, Indigenous children in Canada were forcibly taken from their homes and placed in residential schools. Many were stripped of their language, culture, and identity. They experienced neglect, abuse, and the trauma of being separated from their families. The consequences of this system are still deeply felt today, through generational trauma and the loss of cultural connections.
As the Orange Shirt Day website explains:
“Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891–1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events… The events were designed to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation.”
The story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, who had her brand-new orange shirt taken from her on her first day at residential school, symbolizes the loss and injustice that so many children experienced. Her story has become a reminder that “Every Child Matters.”
“The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion… A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected.”
Since 2021, September 30 has also been recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday that calls on all Canadians to reflect, learn, and take part in reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples.
As a Canadian company, we proudly stand with Indigenous Peoples in the call for truth, reconciliation, justice, and hope for generations to come.
Every Child Matters. Today and always.
Inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her orange shirt taken away on her first day at Indian residential school, we uplift the voices of Survivors and invite all people in Canada to walk the path of truth & reconciliation together. The Orange Shirt Society was established in 2015 to: Under...
