Orange Shirt Day Resources

Listen, Learn, Act

 

September 30 of each year is dedicated to Orange Shirt Day. This day is used to honour the children who went to residential schools, create awareness of residential schools, and create dialogue about the lasting impact of the legacy of residential schools.

There are resources in many forms including films, books and podcasts which provide insight into the residential school experience, the intergenerational trauma that continues into the present day, and our responsibilities as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

These resources are not an exhaustive list, rather a starting point.


Listen

Group of faculty, staff and community members gather to listen to speeches during a white pine planting event in the name of Truth and Reconciliation

A list of films, videos, books, websites to learn more about the legacy of residential schools.

Websites

Videos and Films

Readings/Books

Podcasts


Learn

Group of students and leader work on a collaborative, Indigenous-inspired piece of artwork

Resources and activities that promote learning about residential schools and the TRC.

University of Toronto Resources

External Resources

  • Gaudry, A., & Lorenz, D. (2018). Indigenization as inclusion, reconciliation, and decolonization: navigating the different visions for indigenizing the Canadian Academy. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 14(3), 218–227

Sample Classroom Exercises

  • Listen, Learn & Reflect

    • Listen to survivor stories – there are many available on the Legacy of Hope Foundation website.
    • Write a reflection:
      • Who was the story about?
      • Where were they from?
      • How did going to residential schools impact them?
      • How did hearing their story impact you?
      • What can you do going forward? 
  • Discussion Post
  • Have students choose one of the 94 Calls to Action from the TRC.
    • Discuss:
      • Why did you choose this call to action? Why is it important?
      • What can you do to support this call to action?
      • Can you connect this call to your course/field of study?

Act

Students, staff and faculty gather at U of T to commemorate Orange T Shirt Day

Meaningful actions you can do to support Indigenous peoples and the TRC Calls to Action.

Donate

Donate to Indigenous organizations, foundations and communities directly supporting Indigenous peoples. For example:

Make a Commitment

Write it down: I [insert your name] commit to continued learning and supporting the Calls to Action in the TRC by: [insert at least one short-term and one long-term action you can take].

Amplify Indigenous Voices

Indigenous peoples have been doing great work in communities for decades, listen to them and share their stories.

Write Elected Officials

Elected officials, such as Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to bring forth the public’s opinion and views to parliament. To find out who your MP is, follow this link and enter your postal code.