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‘An important step’: Sports world recognizes National Truth and Reconciliation Day


Content warning: This story contains depictions and discussions of Residential Schools which may be distressing to some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling, a 24-hour national crisis line can be accessed by calling: 1-866-925-4419.


On May 27, 2021, a survey uncovered the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School from decades ago — some as young as three years old.

As thousands of Canadians laid out 215 shoes across the country to mourn the children in the following weeks, the remains of over 1,000 more children were discovered — including 715 at the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.

In the wake of these tragic events, July 1, usually celebrated as a national day of Canadian pride, was instead a day of national mourning, and the Canadian government responded by amplifying Sept. 30, known as “Orange Shirt Day” since 2013, to a statutory holiday as the official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The orange shirt idea stems from Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s horrific experience of being stripped of all her clothes, including the orange shirt she couldn’t ever wear again, as a six-year-old entering a Mission School in the 1970s.

More than just a dark day or stretch in Canadian history, May 27 served as a stark reminder of Canada’s genocidal history toward indigenous peoples.

On Orange Shirt Day 2021, sports leagues, teams, players and media alike acknowledged the country’s dreadful past and called for further action to reconcile.



‘An important step’: Sports world recognizes National Truth and Reconciliation Day
Source: Pinas Ko Mahal

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