â–º Listen Live

Sharing with your child about Orange Shirt

“It’s a stat holiday for a reason. I guess it brings out more questions that people may have.”

Tinisha Young is a young Cree mother of two children who lives with her family in Lloydminster. She notes that the Federal Statutory holiday of Truth and Reconciliation brings the issues surrounding Residential Schools into greater focus and allows people to have more conversation, reflection and discussion.

September 30th has been observed by First Nations as Orange Shirt Day based on the documented life story of Phyllis Webstad who was taken to a residential school wearing an orange shirt given to her by her grandmother. When she got to the school, the shirt was taken away from her and never returned. Webstad says September 30th was chosen because it was the time of the year children were taken from their families and sent to Residential Schools.

Young’s family like many other First Nations families has Residential School survivors. Even though her son is younger than her daughter, he too wears an orange shirt and she shares with both her kids about the significance as they reflect on September 30th as a family.

“My daughter is only five. Her understanding of Orange Shirt Day isn’t as dark as some of our other perspectives. To her a little girl is taken from her family. She thought she was going to a nice school. She wore her best orange shirt that her grandma got her. And then when she got there, they took her orange shirt away.”

Young says her daughter feels remorse when she hears that story, but is still able to talk about it with others.

“Every year I make sure my kids have an orange shirt. And every year before my daughter goes to school, I ask her why she wears her orange shirt. She does a very good job of explaining why she wears her orange shirt. And she also does a very job of telling people why she is wearing an orange shirt.”

“Every Child Matters,” are the words printed on orange shirts. Over 150,000 children were taken to Residential Schools in Canada. The final Truth and Reconciliation report estimates between 4,000 and 6,000 children did not make it home, but it is difficult to estimate the exact number of children who died while attending Residential Schools in Canada.

Young says people can look for online resources for more information. For Lloydminster, visit the Heart of Treaty Six website. She recommends books like “I never lied” and “Indian Horse” which is on Netflix Canada as good resources. She adds that the Office of the Treaty Commissioner has resources including notebook size talking points on the TRC calls to action, books for kids and resources for teachers.

Gerry Lampow
Gerry Lampow
Gerry has lived in Lloydminster since winter 2010. That detail is important as coming from the Caribbean he did not see green grass until May. Now an Alberta/Western Canada resident, you would be hard-pressed to find a stronger proponent of Lloydminster than the news guy that appreciates a healthy dose of rock music and dress code leather. His mantra is focus on one thing and do it well.
- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Battlefords RCMP seek suspects in robbery, assualt

Battlefords RCMP seek your help to find two men who may be driving a blue four-door 2015 Hyundai Sonata car with Saskatchewan licence plate 786 LHD. The duo is suspected to be involved in a robbery, and assault.

Sask Free Fishing Weekend, Jul 12-13

The fishing just got real as Saskatchewan is opening its waters for you to cast a line without a licence this weekend, July 12-13.

Town of Wainwright has lowest cost of living in Alberta

Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.

Road expansion for Cenovus Energy Hub begins July 15

If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.
- Advertisement -