OTTAWA – Today, the Green Party of Canada commemorates the thousands of Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada. Orange Shirt Day is the legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891 – 1981) Commemoration Project and Phyllis Webstad, who was sent to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974, when she was only six years old. Ms. Webstad is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band).
“The lasting impacts of this dark period of Canada’s history endures to this day for so many Indigenous people,” said Green Party Interim Leader Jo-Ann Roberts. “Families and communities that were torn apart then, still live with the consequences. As we seek a path towards reconciliation, this day reminds us to acknowledge what happened, to reflect on the suffering incurred, and to ensure that it may never happen again.”
Green parliamentary leader Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) said: “The deep and abiding pain of the residential school system is not history. It is deeply felt on an inter-generational basis. As Greens, we strive to be good allies. We continue to press for the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation process and the recommendations of the MMIWG Inquiry to be acted upon. One day a year is never enough in the quest for true reconciliation.”
Jenica Atwin, Green MP for Fredericton and caucus critic for Crown-Indigenous relations and Indigenous services concluded: “Orange shirt day is a critical day of action in recognition of the terrible tragedy of Indian residential Schools and their lasting legacy. Canada has a moral and fiduciary responsibility for reparations in the quest for justice and peace.
“In New Brunswick, I am proud of our public education system and our on-reserve schools for taking up the often painful challenge of residential school education and awareness. Across the province, children, parents, teachers and allies wear orange to honour survivors, the resiliency of their descendants and the thousands of innocent children lost. We must never forget and we must follow through with our promise to honour the calls to action from the truth and reconciliation commission of Canada, without further delay. Kiselomol Wassisok – (Love the children).”
# # #
For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Rosie Emery
Press Secretary
613-562-4916×206
Good Sunday Morning – March 7
March 7th, 2021
Good Sunday Morning – January 24
January 24th, 2021
Good Sunday Morning – January 10
January 10th, 2021
Good Sunday Morning – Jan 3
January 3rd, 2021
Good Sunday Morning – December 13
December 13th, 2020
Good Sunday Morning – December 6
December 6th, 2020
Elizabeth May’s statement on International Women’s Day 2021
March 8th, 2021
Green Party calls on government to declare housing and homelessness national crises, clamp down on commodification of housing market
February 10th, 2021
Greens raising alarm on rapid erosion of public transportation across Canada
January 25th, 2021
Green Party urges focus and collaboration as MPs return to Parliament
January 24th, 2021
Greens join in multi-party press conference to mark the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons coming into force
January 21st, 2021
Green MPs Elizabeth May and Jenica Atwin recognized in Maclean’s 12th annual Parliamentarians of the Year awards
January 13th, 2021
When will the government take responsibility for Indigenous people killed during “wellness checks”?
March 8th, 2021
Elizabeth May’s statement on International Women’s Day 2021
March 8th, 2021
‘Twas just weeks before Christmas…
December 9th, 2020
Elizabeth asks Environment Minister to close Basel Convention loophole
December 9th, 2020
Elizabeth’s statement on the 50th anniversary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women
December 7th, 2020
Constituency Office
1-9711 Fourth St
Sidney, BC V8L 2Y8
Phone: 250-657-2000
800-667-9188
Fax: 250-657-2004
E-mail: elizabeth.may.c1a@parl.gc.ca
Parliament Hill Office
518 Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: 613-996-1119
Fax: 613-996-0850
E-mail: elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca
Jobs & Volunteering
Click here for the latest opportunities