Orange Shirt Day
UVic pledges to uphold ʔetalnəw̓əl̓ | ÁTOL,NEUEL | respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationship with all things. We're working to foster truth, respect and mutual understanding with all Indigenous peoples and communities.
UVic extends heartfelt thanks to all faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members who joined us on September 27, 2024, for Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Your support and shared commitment to uphold ʔetalnəw̓əl̓ | ÁTOL,NEUEL—respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationship with all things—continue to inspire our journey forward.
Together, we witnessed a significant moment as President Kevin Hall, Survivor and Elder Kilth-wii-taa, Dr. Barney Williams, Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Dr. Robina Thomas, Vice-President Indigenous, and Mercedes Neasloss-Robinson raised the Survivors' Flag for the first time at a permanent memorial site in the Quad. Events throughout National Truth and Reconciliation Week brought our community together to reflect, learn and engage.
As we move forward, we encourage you to keep learning, supporting Indigenous communities and living the teachings of ʔetalnəw̓əl̓ | ÁTOL,NEUEL. UVic remains dedicated to fostering truth, respect and mutual understanding with all Indigenous peoples and communities.
The orange t-shirt
The designs for the t-shirt were created by Kwakwaka'wakw/Coast Salish artist Carey Newman Hayalthkin'geme, UVic’s Impact Chair in Indigenous Art Practices since 2021.
The Heart and Hands design "was made to honour the children who died in residential school. The hearts express love for all those in unmarked graves and compassion for the families and communities who waited for them to be found. The small and colourful hands remind us of the uniqueness and beauty of every child. Taken together, they represent our commitment to listen to our hearts and use our hands, to do the work that needs to be done.
The visceral confirmation of Survivor accounts that has come from locating these graves has affected many of us on an emotional level. It has changed the way that many people think and feel about our histories and current realities in Canada."
The Feather design is "a grouping of smaller feathers to create a larger one — is meant to represent that children come in all shapes and sizes, and they're all important."
Kwakwaka'wakw/Coast Salish artist Carey Newman Hayalthkin'geme on "Hearts and Hands"
Individual orders
T-shirts are available for individual purchase.
What is Orange Shirt Day?
is a national movement in Canada. In this annual event, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come together in the spirit of hope and reconciliation to honour former residential-school students, their families and communities. We consider the impacts of the policies and actions of the Government of Canada and the churches that operated the schools.
Orange Shirt Day began in Williams Lake, BC in 2013 at the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event, at which survivor told the story of her shiny new orange shirt that was taken away from her on her first day of school at the Mission.
Orange Shirt Day occurs in early fall because this is the time of year when children were removed from their families and forced to attend residential schools. The day inspires Canadians to take part in anti-racism and anti-bullying initiatives at school and at work.
The residential-school era began in the early 1870s, with the last school closing in 1996. More than 150,000 Indigenous, Métis and Inuit children attended these schools. There are an estimated 80,000 survivors living today.
Facing the legacy of residential schools
At UVic, we commit to facing, head-on, the realities of Canada's history and the present. We commit to breaking down the colonial systems and barriers that still exist in our institution and to being accountable in this work.
Learn more about our response and commitments in support of truth and reconciliation.
Support meaningful engagement with Elders
The university has established the ITOTELNEW̱TEL ȽTE: LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER Fund (Elders Engagement Fund). It provides meaningful engagement with Elders and opportunities for learning Indigenous ways of knowing for students, faculty and staff.
Orange Shirt Day 2024
During National Truth and Reconciliation Week (Sept. 23-30), a number of events took place at UVic, including the inaugural raising of The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Survivors’ Flag, on Sept. 27.
Support & resources
If you find that you need emotional support after engaging with Orange Shirt Day material, there are some services available.
Gerry Ambers (ʼNa̱mǥis / Kwakwaka'wakw), Elder-in-Residence at the First Peoples House, offers viewers several ways to stay calm and grounded in these challenging times. Produced by the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement at UVic.
SupportConnect
SupportConnect is a free, confidential mental-health support service for UVic students. You can connect with qualified counsellors, consultants and life coaches by phone or online 24/7. Video or in-person options are available.
Toll-free (calls from North America): 1-844-773-1427
International collect calls: 1-250-999-7621
Counselling for Indigenous students
Indigenous counsellors provide individual and group counselling that treat the heart, body, mind and spirit for Indigenous students. Indigenous counselling sessions are flexible in length, you are seen on the spot for emergency appointments and in general, you can meet with the Indigenous counsellor without having to wait too long.
UVic Counselling Services
Located in the new Student Wellness Centre at 2300 McKenzie Ave., across the street from the CARSA gym. Counselling sessions for UVic students can be booked by calling 250-721-8563. Indigenous counsellors are available.
24-hour crisis line for survivors and family of survivors. Toll-Free: 1-866-925-4419
FNHA partners with Indigenous Services Canada to offer a comprehensive mental-health plan to First Nations in BC. The plan covers counselling services from qualified mental-health providers, including psychologists, clinical counsellors and social workers.
Connects students to mental-health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a BC post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community-referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.
24-hour crisis line service to Vancouver Island, the islands of the Georgia Strait, and the mainland communities between Powell River and Rivers Inlet, as defined by Island Health. It operates 365 days a year. Crisis workers provide short-term, non-judgmental emotional, support, crisis intervention, information and resources. Toll-free: 1-888-494-3888
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24-hour provincial Aboriginal crisis line for adults/Elders and youth.
Adults/Elders: 250-723-4050
Children/Youth: 250-723-2040
Toll-free Line: 1-800-588-8717