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First Met will be recognizing Orange Shirt Day on Sunday, Oct. 4, during its virtual service online.

In 1973, Phyllis’ orange shirt was taken from her at six years old when she arrived at St. Joseph
Mission residential school. September 30th has been declared Orange Shirt Day annually, in
recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children's sense of self-esteem and
well being, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters.

In 2015, Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day was initiated by residential school survivor Eddy Charlie and his friend Kristin Spray while they were attending the Indigenous Studies program at Camosun College. On September 30,2018, the Province of British Columbia proclaimed Orange Shirt Day to recognize and remember residential school survivors and their families.

Local artist Bear Horne designed the pattern on the Victoria Orange Shirt t-shirts. The design includes a bear to assist us to follow the right path, an eagle to assist us to have a vision of a bright future, a flower to feed the connection of all these elements, and a hummingbird to keep our minds, bodies, and spirits healthy.

For more information and to purchase a t-shirt as well as copies of Phyllis’ books, go to https://victoriaorangeshirtday.com/

For a series of videos, books and other resources, click here.