Pictured above: Southend Northern store staff and community members donned orange t-shirts to show support.

The North West Company’s store staff members across Canada showed their support of Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange on September 30.

In the community of Southend, SK, 63 individuals – both community members and Southend Northern store staff – took part in an Orange Shirt Day Awareness Walk. The walk was to honour residential school survivors and their families and to remember those who did not make it home.

Orange Shirt Day symbolizes the experience of residential school survivor, Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken from her on her first day at a residential school when she was only six years old. Held annually at the end of September, the date is significant because it is the time of the year when children were taken from their homes. 

Pictured above: (left) Wabasca, AB, Northern staff and (right) Muskehki Pharmacy staff

Orange Shirt Day is meant to foster meaningful discussion and open dialogue on all aspects of the residential school system. Wearing orange is a way to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

“I think it is great that more and more people are wearing orange shirts to promote awareness of the residential school system and those who were impacted by it. I know my staff and I will be supporting this each year. I would also like to thank Family Community Support Services (FCSS) for supplying us with the shirts,” said Rob McKinley, Wabasca, AB Northern Store Manager.