Every September 30th, classrooms across Canada recognize Orange Shirt Day—a day to honour the survivors of residential schools, remember those who never came home, and acknowledge the ongoing impacts of these institutions on Indigenous communities.
While an orange shirt colouring activity may be a common starting point, Orange Shirt Day deserves deeper, more meaningful engagement. Our students are capable of understanding big ideas when given the right tools and opportunities. As educators, we have a responsibility to go beyond surface-level activities and create space for reflection, empathy, and learning.
Colouring an Orange Shirt is the bare minimum requirement.
Why Orange Shirt Day Matters
Orange Shirt Day grew from the story of Phyllis Webstad, who, at six years old, had her brand-new orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school. That shirt symbolized love, family, and belonging—yet it was stripped from her, just as so many children were stripped of their culture, language, and identity.
This story opens the door to age-appropriate conversations about fairness, identity, resilience, and truth. When we limit students’ engagement to a colouring page, we risk minimizing the experiences of survivors and the significance of the day.
Creating Space for Reflection and Expression
This year, my students created painted self-portrait collages wearing orange shirts. The project was hands-on, creative, and personal—it invited them to imagine themselves as part of the story and to stand in solidarity. Art became the vehicle for empathy.
But we didn’t stop there. Together, we wrote letters to a residential school survivor. In these letters, students shared:
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what they understand about residential schools,
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what they still wonder, and
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how they want to be part of reconciliation.
This step moved the learning from “doing” to understanding. Students were not only making something—they were making meaning.
Why We Need to Go Further
Orange Shirt Day is not just about the past—it’s about ongoing learning and action. When we help students connect personally, reflect thoughtfully, and communicate with compassion, we are:
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Building empathy for survivors and their families.
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Encouraging critical thinking about fairness, justice, and equity.
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Honouring truth in age-appropriate, respectful ways.
As teachers, our role is to nurture curiosity and guide students toward deeper understanding. A colouring sheet may fill time, but it cannot fill hearts or minds with the empathy and awareness this day calls for.
Ideas to Go Beyond the Colouring Page
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Share age-appropriate stories written by Indigenous authors.
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Create art that connects identity and solidarity, like self-portraits in orange shirts.
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Invite students to write reflections, poems, or letters to survivors.
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Explore the meaning of “Every Child Matters” and what it looks like in daily classroom life.
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Commit to ongoing learning—Orange Shirt Day is one day, but reconciliation is lifelong.
Closing Thought
When students’ voices, questions, and creativity are honoured, they carry forward the truth of Orange Shirt Day in meaningful ways. As teachers, we have the opportunity to move past symbolic gestures and create real learning moments that respect survivors, deepen empathy, and inspire hope.
Grab a free copy for yourself!
In the freebies section of my website, you can download this exact letter set to use in your classrooms to go beyond the orange shirts. Students can connect with and develop a deeper understanding of the significance of Orange Shirt Day.
Click the picture to sign up for my free resource library!
<3 Maryana