Orange Shirt Day in Canada is observed every year on September 30.

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led day of remembrance and learning that honours Survivors of residential schools, their families, and the children who never came home. The orange shirt symbolizes how Indigenous children had their culture, identities, and sense of self stripped away in these institutions.

The message at the heart of the day is that “Every Child Matters”.

How it connects to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada is also marked on September 30, and the two are often observed together. Many communities, schools, and workplaces use this date for ceremonies, teachings, walks, and educational events focused on truth-telling and reconciliation.

Typical ways people mark the day

Common ways people in Canada observe Orange Shirt Day include:

  • Wearing an orange shirt (often from Indigenous creators or organizations).
  • Attending community events, walks, or gatherings led by Indigenous groups.
  • Listening to Survivors’ stories, Elders, and knowledge keepers.
  • Learning about residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
  • Discussing Indigenous histories and rights in classrooms and workplaces.

Quick recap

  • Date in Canada: September 30 every year.
  • Purpose: Honour residential school Survivors, remember those who died, and support ongoing truth and reconciliation.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.