Members across Ontario took part in the recognition of Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2016.

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada.

The initial commemoration was in the spring of 2013, and grew out of an account by a First Nations residential school student who had her orange shirt taken away from her on her first day of school at the Mission.

That first commemoration has evolved into a nation-wide opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools going on an annual basis.

The end of September was selected as the date of recognition because it represents the time of year when First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were taken from their homes to be placed in residential schools.

Members of OSSTF/FEESO know the importance of commemoration, and of educating current and future generations about the residential school system and how we can all work together in the spirit of reconciliation.