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On Friday, staff and lawyers at Nelligan O’Brien Payne came to work dressed in orange for Orange Shirt Day, in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to thousands of Indigenous children across Canada.
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s experience in a Mission school in B.C. in the 1970s. On her first day, she was stripped and all her clothes were taken away, including a specially chosen orange shirt. For a six-year-old, this was devastating. Phyllis felt insignificant, that her feelings didn’t matter, and that she was worth nothing.
You can read about Phyllis’ story here.
Orange Shirt Day is meant to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind.
For more information about residential schools, contact our Indigenous Law Group.
