Sept. 30 is Orange Shirt Day, an annual day of remembrance to acknowledge the history and lasting impacts of residential and day schools. The national movement was sparked by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad’s story. Her orange shirt—which was removed by authorities on her first day of school—has become a symbol of the harmful impacts of Canada’s residential and day school system.
Learn more about Phyllis Webstad’s story…in her own words
Carleton University is committed to conciliation, as outlined in Kinàmàgawin, a revitalized long-term Indigenous strategy with 41 calls to action to make our university a more welcoming space for current and future Indigenous students and faculty members. This Orange Shirt Day, Carleton is encouraging members of our community to wear orange, meaningfully reflect on the harmful impact of residential and day schools, and seek out opportunities toward conciliation – on this day and beyond.
Carleton Activities
Visit the Indigenous Gathering Site for more information on Indigenous research talks, speaking events and symposiums.
Flag Raising / Lights
An Every Child Matters flag will be flown at half-mast and both the bridge at the north end of campus and the Richcraft Hall underpass will be illuminated in orange on Sept. 30.
Every Child Matters Shirts
Every Child Matters shirts, featuring a design created by an Indigenous artist, are available for purchase at The Campus Store.
Housing and Residence Life
An information table will be set up in Teraanga Commons on Sept. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. where students can learn more about the lasting impacts of residential schools.
Stories and Announcements
For more stories, visit the Indigenous Gathering Site.
Resources and Ongoing Learning
Carleton’s Indigenous Gathering Site is a hub for all Indigenous events and programming on campus.
Following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report in 2015, the Carleton University Strategic Indigenous Initiatives Committee published the Kinàmàgawin (Learning Together) Report. Kinàmàgawin includes 41 Carleton-specific Calls to Action that encompass an overarching goal of making Carleton’s campus a safer space for current and future Indigenous students, staff and faculty members. The 2022 and 2024 Progress Reports showcase the significant collective actions undertaken to address the 41 Calls to Action since the initial Kinàmàgawin report release in May 2020.
Indigenous Student Resources
Carleton’s Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement supports students, staff and faculty by providing culturally safe spaces for dialogue and learning. They do this by nurturing a sense of belonging for Indigenous students and by developing and delivering resources and training to educate the Carleton community about the experiences, histories and worldviews of Indigenous peoples.
The Residential School Survivor Support Line is available 24/7 at 1-866-925-4419 for Indigenous members of the Carleton community who need support.