Every Child Matters
Every life is worth living and every child is deserving of love, protection, and support within the community. This is the underlying message behind the Every Child Matters movement and slogan which began as an Indigenous-led grassroots initiative in 2013 to raise awareness of the intergenerational impacts of residential schools, Day Schools, and the Sixties Scoop in Canada.
In 2013, former residential student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, inspired our nation to commemorate Orange Shirt Day with her personal experience of attending residential school. At the age of 6, she wore her brand new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, for her first day at residential school. Not only was her orange shirt taken from her, but she had to endure the loss of her identity, Indigenous culture, and language.
Every Child Matters offers an opportunity to recognize and reflect on the impact the colonial systems had on Indigenous communities for more than a century in Canada, to honour the survivors, and remember the children who never returned home.
On September 29, 2020, the federal government introduced Bill C-5, an Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation), which designated September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and make it a federal statutory holiday. This date was chosen as the date for Every Child Matters / Orange Shirt Day / the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, as it was the time of year where Indigenous children were taken from their homes to attend the colonial institutions.
In December 2023, Manitoba established September 30 as a provincial statutory holiday.
Truth
To heal is to be whole. To heal is to acknowledge the truth of history and move forward with dignity in identity. Every Child Matters is a collective responsibility to restore and renew the nation’s relationship with Indigenous People. Through acknowledgement of the past and bringing awareness of how colonial government policies impacted generations of Indigenous People, there is an opportunity to heal the ancestral trauma. The truth about our journey toward reconciliation remains a challenge given the truth about ongoing denialism and anti-Indigenous racism.
Become An Ally
In order to reclaim Indigenous identity and existence, Every Child Matters provides a time to stand in personal power by taking the time to understand, educate, participate and reflect.
In Manitoba, Premier Wab Kinew announced the Orange Shirt Day Fund, on July 3, 2024. This one-time provincial fund was developed to support events and activities that encourage Manitobans to advance truth and reconciliation by raising awareness of the impacts of residential schools and to come together in observation, reflection and commemoration.
“I want every child and every family in Manitoba to have the opportunity to reflect on the legacy of residentials schools, the children who didn’t come home and the profound impacts of that trauma on families that still exist today. Our government is proud that Manitobans will be able to observe it as a provincial holiday for the first time this year and we’re supporting projects that will help bring more Manitobans together to mark Orange Shirt Day.” – Premier Wab Kinew
If you’re living In Manitoba, there are various opportunities to show your support of “Every Child Matters” and honour residential school survivors.
On September 30, show your commitment in supporting Indigenous kinship and the advancement of reconciliation:
Wear an orange shirt on September 30! You make a profound statement in doing so to support reconciliation and commit to the enduring truth that every child matters. This simple action raises awareness of how personal belongings such as clothing, culture and freedom, were taken away from Indigenous children. Support local Indigenous-led businesses and economic development, such as Red Rebel Armour, by purchasing an Every Child Matter t-shirt to wear proudly on September 30!
“By wearing an orange shirt on September 30th, you commit to the enduring truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS, every day and everywhere.” – Orange Shirt Society
Participate in local events and activities in your community. In Winnipeg, the following events andcampaigns:
Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) – “Every Child Matters” Campaign
This multi-media campaign includes:
– Billboards in Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, Selkirk, Winkler and Steinbach and on transit signs in Winnipeg and Brandon.
– Social media messaging on all SCO social media platforms and their website, as well as in traditional media.
The SCO campaign also encourages the public to:
– Display Every Child Matter signs on your lawn or office. Signs are free and can be picked up at SCO’s sub-office at 1572 Dublin Avenue during regular office hours (closed from 12 noon – 1 pm each day).
– Create your own Orange Shirt Pin. Beading kits are available at no charge at the Dublin office or can be mailed to those living outside of Winnipeg.
“There is much work to be done on the path to reconciliation. We commit to working every day to honour Survivors and the memory of our children and to educate all, because reconciliation can only come after truth.” – Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
○ Wa-Say Healing 4th annual Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow, Pipe Ceremony, and Healing Walk
Canada’s largest healing walk is a free event for all to join! In partnership with SCO, Government of Manitoba, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), and RBC Convention Centre, Way-Say Healing begins the main event with the following:
– 10 am Pipe Ceremony located at the Oodena (Ojibwe meaning “heart of the community”) Celebration Circle at The Forks.
– 11 am Healing Walk begins at The Forks and continues to the RBC Convention Centre.
– 1 pm Grand Entry for the Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow at the RBC Convention Centre.
*Orange shirts will be given away!
Encourage peaceful discussion and conversation with friends and family on the historic truths of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This is a meaningful way to develop a better understanding of Indigenous history, culture, intergenerational trauma, and colonial constructs and policies that continue to impact the health, economic standing, and social inequalities among Indigenous Peoples in Canada. For families and students, an exercise that can help develop understanding could include writing letters from two perspectives:
Reflect on what you’ve learned.
In the spirit of reconciliation and healing, we unite together on September 30th with the understanding that Every
Child Matters.
Residential School Survivors can access various support lines and resources for mental wellness support, including:
The 24-hour Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419
Indian Residential School Survivors’ Society