The University of Windsor is committed to reconciliation. We're working to foster respect and mutual understanding with all Indigenous peoples and communities. You can partner in the work of reconciliation by listening, learning, and sharing on Orange Shirt Day.
What is Orange Shirt Day - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
Orange Shirt Day - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a national movement and annual event in Canada. During this day Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come together in the spirit of hope and reconciliation to honour residential school survivors, their families, and communities.
Take time to learn about the impacts of the policies and actions of the Government of Canada and the churches that operated the schools. We listen to the stories of survivors and their families and remember those that didn’t make it home.
The observance of Orange Shirt Day on campus in 2024 is Monday, September 30.
Residential school survivor, Phyllis Webstad began observing this day in Williams Lake, BC in 2013 at the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event at which told the story of her shiny new orange shirt that was taken away from her on her first day of school at the SJM.
Orange Shirt Day occurs in early fall because this is the time of year when children were removed from their families and forced to attend residential schools.
The residential school era began in the early 1870’s, with the last school closing in 1996. More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children attended these schools. There are an estimated 80,000 survivors living today.
To commemorate Orange Shirt Day, Turtle Island Walk will display orange lights in a spirit of hope and reconciliation to honour residential school survivors, their families, and communities, bringing light to the impacts of residential schools.
Campus Events
Monday September 30
The Big Turtle Sculpture Unveiling - 9:30 a.m.
Turtle Island Walk - River Commons
Join us for the official unveiling of The Big Turtle sculpture along Turtle Island Walk, River Commons. The eight-and-a-half-foot sculpture features the great turtle — Gchi-mishiikenh in Anishinaabemowin — supported by an outstretched hand, carrying an eagle feather with the sacred colours of white, yellow, red, and black. The event will include refreshments, remarks from Artist Teresa Altiman of the Walpole Island First Nation, and more.
Chrysler Hall Tower Courtyard
Immediately following the sculpture unveiling, join us for a "Every Child Matters" flag raising ceremony at the Chrysler Hall Tower flag pole.
The flag will be lowered on Wed Oct 16th at 12:00p.m.with a ceremony to follow.
Orange Shirt Day Heart Photo - 1:00 p.m.
West Entrance - Ron W. Ianni Faculty of Law
Join the Faculty of Law for their annual heart photo to be taken in front of the West Entrance of the Ron W. Ianni Faculty of Law building. Participants are asked to wear their orange shirts for this group photo.
Every Child Matters Walk - 12:00-3:00pm
Art Windsor-Essex - Riverfront - University of Windsor
Join us for a community gathering and walk from Art Windsor-Essex along the waterfront to the University of Windsor. The event will include speakers, drums, food, and activities.
Off-campus Events:
Friday September 27th
Every Child Matters flag will fly outside City Hall until October 1, 2024. More City of Windsor Details HERE
Windsor Police will raise the Survivors Flag from the National Truth and Reconciliation Centre.
Saturday September 28th
Free admission to the gallery will allow participants to watch the film screening Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past. The gallery will also be hosting Bezhig Miigwan / One Feather in the studio from 1-4pm. The theme of the display is bezhig miigwan, meaning “one feather”, that symbolizes each survivor, each child lost and denotes that we are all connected and it is vital to work together to achieve reconciliation.
More information available HERE
In the spirit of healing and reconciliation everyone is invited to gather by the gazebo in King’s Navy Yard Park from 12pm-4pm on Saturday, September 28. Join to learn more about Indigenous culture, and watch demonstrations of dancing, drumming and storytelling.Learn and listen from Elders and motivational speakers from the community. Children’s activities will take place at the teepee, and Indigenous vendors will be in the park selling products.
More information available HERE
Art Windsor-Essex will also be hosting Bezhig Miigwan / One Feather at the library from 10:30-2:00pm. A free screening of Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past will run from 12-3pm.
More information available HERE
Monday, September 30th
Art Windsor-Essex - Riverfront - University of Windsor
Join us for a community gathering and walk along the waterfront to the University of Windsor. The event will include speakers, drums, food, and activities.
Planning to attend the events? RSVP at this link.
Lunch and Learns
Delivered online: September 23 – 27, 2024
We invite you to join our daily Lunch and Learn webinars – an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada. Lunch and Learn sessions are aimed at an adult audience, and open to the public, and will be hosted virtually over Zoom Webinar and streamed to YouTube. Expert matter speakers will present for 40-50 minutes before a Q&A between the moderator and guest(s).
For more information, or to register, visit, The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Our Orange Shirt Day Fundraiser is underway!
The Turtle Island Aboriginal Education Centre is offering items for sale to support a fund for Indigenous students. The newly launched unisex, cotton shirt is $30 in sizes adult small through to 4XL.
The following are also available:
- Old logo youth size t-shirts $20 - youth small to youth XL
- Lawn Signs: $30 (available in Lenape, Oneida and Ojibway)
- Campus Community Cookbooks: $30 (all three volumes are available!)
- Toques: $25
- Buttons (by donation)
Cash and debit is accepted.
Bulk orders of old logo shirts are also available at discount. There is a Minimum order of $200 for 10 shirts. Email: katpasq@uwindsor.ca
This year’s t-shirts for Orange Shirt Day bear a design by Seneca Isaac, whose submission was selected in a design competition held by the Turtle Island – Aboriginal Education Centre.
Items are available to purchase at:
- Toldo Lancer Centre Lobby
- Turtle Island - Aboriginal Education Centre (CAW Student Centre - Room 179)
The items will also be available to purchase at the following pop-ups:
- Saturday, Sept 28 - Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The proceeds will benefit programming for Indigenous students at the University.
More Ways to Get Involved
Virtual Meeting Backgrounds: Save the photos below and follow the instructions to apply them to your Microsoft Teams or Zoom Meeting.
Email Signature: Add Orange Shirt Day to your email signature.
View instructions to learn how to add Orange Shirt Day to your email signature.
Hear Our Stories
Orange Shirt Day is an annual event held each September 30th in remembrance of the Canadian Residential School system and the impact of this government policy on First Nations. Phyllis Webstad presents her memories of Residential schools and the meaning of Orange Shirt Day.
Susie Kicknosway Jones shares her experiences with us as a First Nations person and a Christian. She reflects on her life, the suffering she had endured, and how she lives now as a survivor of the residential school system and a follower of Jesus.
Gregg Deal is a husband, father, artist and a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. As a provocative contemporary artist-activist much of Deal’s work deals with Indigenous identity and pop culture, touching on issues of race relations, historical consideration and stereotype. With this work—including paintings, mural work, performance art, filmmaking and spoken word—Deal critically examines issues within Indian country such as decolonization, the Native mascot issue and appropriation.
Annie's personal experience contextualizes her talk, which focuses on the importance of family and community in overcoming traumatic experiences.
Still interested in contributing?
You can also support our Indigenous students by donating to the Geoffrey H Wood Native Bursary endowment.
Geoffrey H Wood Native Bursary endowment is for students who are of Aboriginal ancestry (status, non-status, Metis, Bill C31, Innu, and Inuit), maintain satisfactory academic standing, and demonstrate financial need.
Healing and Support
If you find that you need emotional support after engaging with Orange Shirt Day material, there are some services available.
24-hour crisis line for survivors and family of survivors.
Educational Resources
Thank you to our Orange Shirt Day Sponsors
