The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Orange Shirt Day, take place on September 30 each year. This day is a designated statutory holiday in British Columbia and offers time for all Canadians to pause and reflect on the history and legacy of the residential school system.
To learn more about the founder of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis Webstad, who is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band), you can explore her books offered by Medicine Wheel Publishing.
We recognize that truth and reconciliation is a complex process and can mean many things for different people. Orange Shirt Day is also about Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous allies coming together to understand the past so that we can begin to take the first steps towards healing our relationship with each other. Without truth, there is no reconciliation.
On this day, and every day, we ask you to reflect on what truth means to you and what actions you might take to promote reconciliation and allyship in your role at Island Health. As a
health authority, we hold a vital role in addressing systemic racism and health disparities, providing culturally appropriate care, and improving the lives and health experiences of all Indigenous patients, families, and staff that we serve.
“This year, staff and medical staff will have the opportunity to wear a very special orange shirt – one that has been designed for Island Health by Joslyn Charlie, a Nuu-chah-nulth artist. Joslyn has extraordinary talent, and we are grateful to her for sharing her gift of design with us. I am proud of the Indigenous Health, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Brand, Digital Engagement and Innovation teams for creating this partnership and making this project possible. On September 30th, I hope you will join me in wearing the Island Health Orange Shirt and reflect on the ongoing impact of colonization, including systemic racism, poorer health outcomes and barriers to culturally safe access to health care. We have a responsibility to address and repair these harms and there is still much work to be done."
~ Kathy MacNeil, President and CEO of Island Health
“I raise my hands in gratitude to the artist Joslyn Charlie for her beautiful work and dedication to the design of this shirt, and to all the team who helped support. This is an important collaboration and partnership, and a meaningful step towards reconciliation. It is important in honour of Orange Shirt Day, and every day, that we never forget the impacts of residential school and continue to try and repair the harms done on the path towards addressing Indigenous-specific racism in health care. Kleco Kleco."
- Dawn Thomas, Vice President of Indigenous Health and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Island Health Orange Shirt Day design is available as both a t-shirt and hoodie. Please visit the Island Health Store to place your order.
Depending on your location, orders can take 1-2 weeks to process and ship. The Island Health Orange Shirt is priced to cover production costs only: no profits are made on this item.
How-to-use instructions and FAQs are available online. Your feedback is critical to helping us continually improve the store. Please email store@islandhealth.ca to share your thoughts or ask questions.