Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is born out of the legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC in 2013. It grew out of Phyllis' story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission and has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools alive annually.
Sept. 30 is a time to remember the residential school experience and to honour the healing journey of survivors and their families, and for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter - Every Child Matters, even the spirit of that child if they are an adult now.
To learn more about Orange Shirt Day, watch the Orange Shirt Day video.
The City of Thunder Bay is committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s Calls to Action and the Thunder Bay Anti-Racism and Inclusion Accord. In the spirit of reconciliation, the City joins others across the country to honour the Indigenous children sent away to residential schools in Canada by recognizing Orange Shirt Day - Every Child Matters annually on Sept. 30.
(Featured artwork by local Indigenous artist Shelby Gagnon)
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
As of June 3, 2021, a new federal statutory holiday received Royal Assent after it was passed unanimously in the Senate. The first statutory holiday of The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation was recognized on Sept. 30, 2021, and coincides with Orange Shirt Day. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will continue to be held on Sept. 30, of each year.
The establishment of the national holiday is in response to the 80th call to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. Reconciliation requires active participation from everyone. The day provides an opportunity to not only observe and commemorate the tragic legacy of the residential schools, but also quiet time to reflect or actively participate in a community activity or event.
Events
Orange Shirt Day Walk & Gathering in Support of Residential School Survivors and their Families
On September 29, 2025, Nishnawbe Aski Nation will host an Orange Shirt Day event in Thunder Bay to honour the children who survived the Residential School System, those who never made it home, and those who are still missing. The day begins at 10:30 am with opening remarks at City Hall, located at 500 Donald Street East. At 11:30 am, participants will walk together from City Hall, followed by the main event at Vickers Park starting at 12:30 pm. This is an opportunity for the community to come together in reflection, remembrance, and support for healing.
National Day of Truth & Reconciliation Survivors Flag Raising
On the evening of September 29, 2025, the City of Thunder Bay will host a community gathering at Hillcrest Park on High Street North. Beginning at 6 pm, the event will include a sacred fire to honour the Survivors of the Indian Residential School System and to remember the thousands of children who never made it home. This gathering offers a meaningful space for reflection, remembrance, and unity.
Past events
| 2022 - Orange Shirt Day / National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sept. 30, 2022 events schedule
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| 2021 - Orange Shirt Day / National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thank you for joining us on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, for Orange Shirt Day and the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. #EveryChildMattersTbay
Citizens were invited to join the city in wearing orange to honour the Indigenous children, families and survivors that have been, and continue to be, tragically affected by the legacy of residential schools. Residents could get involved by planting a tree in remembrance, writing a message of reconciliation on social media using #EveryChildMattersTbay, and participating in city-wide events run by the City of Thunder Bay and our partners, including a two-day pow wow on Anemki-Wajiw. A moment of silence was held at City Council on Monday, Sept. 27, to honour the children lost to residential schools and their legacy of trauma in Canada. The lights at City Hall also glowed orange for the week. Artistry of dadibaajimo logo is by: Indigenous local Artist Shelby Gagnon
Special acknowledgement
We are all greatly saddened by the ongoing news of the discovery of several unmarked graves across the country. In our hearts we know that this is only the beginning, and that the next on-going weeks, months and years we will continue to mourn the lives lost, and will continue to experience feelings of pain and overwhelming sadness from the trauma the tragic legacy of the Residential School systems has left on the hearts of this country. It is with great hope that united together we will stand, we will educate, we will create more awareness and in the spirit of reconciliation we will begin to help one another heal one unmarked grave at a time. Please know that our thoughts and condolences are with all those who have suffered and are continuing to suffer from the tragic legacy of the Residential School system.
Watch a Recap of Orange Shirt Day 2021
Photo Gallery: Tree Planting Ceremony, Community Booths and Film Screening at Marina Park - Orange Shirt Day 2021Photo Gallery: City of Thunder Bay Orange Shirt Day Activities 2021 will appear here on the public site.
Tree planting ceremonyThe community was invited to join us Thursday, Sept. 30, 10 am, at Vickers Park, for a ceremonial tree planting to remember and honour the children, families, and communities forever impacted by the tragedy residential schools. Mayor Bill Mauro, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Chief Peter Collins, and Elder Kerry McLaughlin, planted a tree at Vickers Park which will be the beginning of a memorial grove. All were welcome to attend. Masks and social distancing were required by all attendees. Cedar seedlings, part of our community tree giveaway, were also distributed at the event for anyone who wished to plant their own tree. A videographer and photographer were on-site recording and taking pictures to capture moments of the day during the ceremony.
Cedar tree giveawayThe City of Thunder Bay invited residents to plant a tree to remember all those who didn’t return home from residential schools and to honour survivors. Planting a tree is a small gesture, but it is a symbol of remembrance and hope. One that lives on for generations. The City provided cedar seedlings to the community Sept. 27 - 30. Cedar is one of the medicines found on the Anishinaabe medicine wheel that represents healing & protection. For planting information, please read our "How to Plant a Tree" guide so your tree will grow strong and last for years to come. We encourage you to post a photo or video of your tree to social media with a message of reconciliation using the hashtag #EveryChildMattersTbay
Film screening of Indian HorseThe City presented a film screening of Indian Horse, Thursday, Sept. 30, 5 - 8 pm, Marina Park Festival Area. Residents were encouraged to wear orange, dress appropriately, and bring chairs and a blanket.
The Thunder Mountain Drum Group
The Thunder Mountain Singers are international award winning recording artists from Thunder Bay, Ontario. They have travelled throughout North America the past 30 years. They have recorded several studio albums, live albums, compilation albums and collaborated on several music projects. Thunder Mountain won Indigenous Peoples Choice Music Award - Best Traditional Album, nominated American Music Awards and Canadian Indigenous Awards - Best Album. They won the Thunder Bay Arts and Heritage Award, City of Thunder Bay Exceptional Achievement Award and Wawatay News Arts and Culture top stories of the year. Thunder Mountain are from the 1850 Robinson-Huron Treaty territory, Treaty 3 Territory and Nishnawbe Aski Nation. They are Anishinaabe, Saulteaux Ojibway and Cree. Elmer Atlookan - First Nations Flute Player Elmer Atlookan is currently residing and working in Webequie First Nation.kan is from Eabametoong First Nation, In the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Territory. HeHe has played the flute for over 23 years. He first recorded an album Family First that was recorded in Reno, Nevada 2012. He has toured internationally to Belfast Ireland, Jerusalem Israel, Central American, throughout the United States and Canada. He is currently working on a
new album. Elmer is a self taught artist he enjoys teaching his music, flute playing, traditional designing, beading, wood making, flute and drum making. He has provided numerous classes, workshops,
concerts and exhibitions sharing his culture and knowledge.
Join the City of Thunder Bay and many of our community partners at Marina Park Festival Area to commemorate this very important day.
Orange Shirt Day community events - Sept. 27 - 30, 2021
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2020 - Orange Shirt Day |
A message from Mayor Bill Mauro:
Every Child Matters - Orange Shirt Day screening of Indian Horse:As part of Orange Shirt day the film screening Indian Horse was played at Boomer’s Drive-In Theatre where over 60 vehicles attended to support this commemorative day to remember and help honour the lives and the resiliency of Residential School survivors and their families. If you attended this past year's Indian Horse film screening and/or virtual Sharing of Our Stories film discussion, please take some time to complete the Evaluation Form to share your feedback. |
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