The roots of Orange Shirt Day are in the story of one survivor, whose brand-new orange shirt was confiscated on her first day at the St. Joseph Mission residential school in British Columbia.
But the day, now in its 10th year, recognizes the lasting impact of residential schools on every child who attended them — and their descendents — and coincides with the new statutory holiday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
In its 140-year history, at least 15,000 children attended the former Mohawk Institute, one of the country’s oldest and longest-running residential schools. Survivors who attended the Brantford institute describe being physically and emotionally abused, and stripped of their culture and language.
Sometimes survivors “feel like they’re the only person that experienced what they experienced,” said Heather George, executive director of the Woodland Cultural Centre. Documentaries, shared stories and survivor gatherings, which often happen around Orange Shirt Day, can be “an important part of their healing journey,” she said.
“Sometimes it’s the first time that those survivors have heard someone say, ‘I experienced this, too,’” she said. “It’s really important ... for the survivors to come together so that they know that they’re not the only one.”
At the Woodland Cultural Centre, which now operates the former residential school building, Sept. 30 is reserved for survivors to gather, remember and celebrate Indigenous culture through beading workshops, corn husk dolls and entry into the institute itself, which is otherwise closed to the public while under construction.
Here’s how the broader community can commemorate Orange Shirt Day in the Hamilton area this month:
- Visit the Woodland Cultural Centre, including the newly reopened museum, where you can learn about the history of the residential school, experience Indigenous art and culture and pick up an orange shirt from the gift shop. The institute itself is currently closed to the public for renovations, but visits to the grounds and cultural centre are permitted.
- Take a virtual tour of the Mohawk Institute, which take place throughout the month. The centre also offers “lunch and learn” sessions for the workplace and educational programming for classrooms.
- Attend a free community screening of “The Nature of Healing.” This new documentary tells the stories of several Mohawk Institute survivors. Snacks, drinks and crisis supports will be available during the screening on Sept. 21 at the Gathering Place in Ohsweken.
- Join the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board on Sept. 28 for a turkey dinner and screening of the film “Silent No More,” which offers a virtual tour of the former Mohawk Institute. RSVP by Sept. 22.
- Celebrate the installation of a public artwork by a local Indigenous artist. Join the City of Hamilton and artist Angela DeMontigny at Hamilton’s west harbour as they erect the city’s newest piece of public art, consisting of 40-foot panels of colourful glass beads. The event starts with a sunrise ceremony and drumming, with artist remarks and performances at 11 a.m. The event takes place on Sept. 30 at the foot of James Street North, north of Guise Street.
- Walk and reflect in Burlington. Join a memorial walk starting at the Spencer Smith Park pier in downtown Burlington at 4 p.m. on Sept. 30. Walkers are encouraged to wear orange shirts and moccasins, the mayor’s website says. Local Indigenous groups will share a public display and a ceremony between 4 and 7 p.m. in the park.
- Read a book. Hamilton Public Library is offering a curated list of books by Indigenous authors this month.
Ways to be an ally
- Wear an orange shirt. Show solidarity with residential school survivors by wearing an orange shirt on Sept. 30. Shirts can be purchased from Indigenous organizations across the province, including Woodland, with proceeds typically going to support efforts.
- Engage in reconciliation. Attend an event. Show up for Indigenous communities. Be “a witness to their stories” and “give them the space and time to be the authority on their own history and their own experiences,” George said. “Showing that you’re interested in learning more, I think, is really important.”
- Learn. Read a book, visit a residential school and ask questions to better understand the history of residential schools and experiences of those who survived them. George said educating the next generation is at the heart of Woodland’s mission. “We’re helping to support the next generation in knowing what happened so that is never forgotten,” she said.
- Give. Support organizations, like the Woodland Cultural Centre, working to improve the lives of Indigenous people, preserve history and language, and celebrate arts and culture, past and present.
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