Orange Shirt Day

The boys wore an orange shirt over their uniforms as part of the National day, which began in 2013 to honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada and to learn more about their history. Some boys in Grade 5 shared Phyllis Webstad’s story in assembly and many classes in the Junior School had discussions and ran activities about Orange Shirt Day and reconciliation. 

Grade 4 student Conrad Balzer thinks that it’s important to wear an orange shirt. 

“It helps me to remember that every child matters, every child is unique and every child is equal,” said Conrad. “We’re really lucky to be where we are.” 

In the Senior School, Art teacher Leanne Mladen ran an open discussion about reconciliation. RSGC is now a Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjak Fund Legacy School, a national initiative to engage, empower and connect students and educators to further reconciliation through awareness, education and action. More information is available at https://downiewenjack.ca