September 30 is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It is also Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters. It is a day of remembrance for the lives lost, those who survived residential schools across this country and the lasting harm caused by them and other similar colonial policies. This day is supposed to be uncomfortable, as this history is uncomfortable and unlivable for many Indigenous people. No set of words can undo the harm, but we offer them with humility and a commitment to listen, learn, and act, so that there is less cause for suffering in future generations.

This day was started in 2013 as Orange Shirt Day when Elder Physllis Webstad, a residential school survivor from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, shared her story of picking out an orange shirt to wear to her first day of school. “Her bright orange shirt symbolized love, excitement, and belonging. When it was taken away, it represented how the system tried to strip away identity, culture, and the fundamental truth that Every Child Matters.”1 The colour orange always reminded her of this incident, and made her feel as though her wellbeing and feelings did not matter. Today we wear orange shirts with the phrase “Every Child Matters” to honour residential school survivors, and to remind them they matter.

The UVSS and the University of Victoria operate on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) and territories of importance to the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. We are continually grateful for the opportunity to live, learn, and work on these lands and understand that we have a long process of reconciliation ahead of us with the duty to uplift Indigenous people and help educate people on the uncomfortable past that Indigenous people lived through.

The UVSS has the responsibility to create a campus where Indigenous students, staff, and community members are safe, respected, and supported. The UVSS also has the responsibility to fight against the discriminatory and oppressive histories and structures that have shaped our educational institutions and harmed many Indigenous people. These are responsibilities we do not take lightly, as it’s our way to advance truth and reconciliation in a meaningful way for our members.

We encourage everyone to reflect, learn more about residential schools, and support Indigenous-led organizations and student groups. You can do so by wearing orange or reading a survivor’s testimony. We encourage reflecting on your cultural, social, and historical ties to the land, how you may have directly or indirectly benefited from the oppressive history of this country and what role you have in advancing truth and reconciliation.

Finally, to all of our Indigenous students and community members: we see you, we hear you, and we are committed to ensuring that your place at UVic is one marked by dignity and respect. The UVSS will continue to listen, to act, and to be held accountable by all of those we serve, for the good of all students.

In solidarity,
The UVSS Board of Directors

Resources for Indigenous community members:

Though today is in many ways a celebration of Indigenous resurgence, all feelings are valid. Remember to walk gently and take care of your body, mind, spirit, and heart however you need to. Please seek support, if needed, from the list below.

Native Student Union (contact@uvicnsu.ca)
24/7 Kuu-Us Crisis Line crisis line (1-800-588-8717)
Indigenous Student Support Coordinators at IACE (iaceiss@uvic.ca)
Indigenous counsellors -UVic Student Wellness Centre (250-721-8563)
Being Here & Being Together – list of resources

Support Indigenous students on campus

Read the UVic Indigenous plan
Follow the Native Students Union
Read Martlet News unsettled column
Learn about the Indigenous building names on campus

Support local Indigenous Businesses

Aunty Collective
Indigenous Roots Coffee Company
Songhees Food Truck
The Bannock Room food truck
Check out an Indigenous art market (follow @indigenouspopupshopyyj on Instagram)

Educational Resources

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website: https://nctr.ca/
Information on Orange Shirt Day: https://orangeshirtday.org

Interactive map resources:

Native-land.ca – to find out more about whose territories you live on
First Peoples’ Map of BC – which showcases the language, arts, culture, territory and more of different First Nations
Do you live near a residential school? – CBC interactive map

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