A statement from the IFSW Indigenous Commission:
Orange Shirt Day commemorates the many Indigenous children who were taken from their families and communities and placed in board schools as a tool of assimilation and dispossession from their lands. In these schools, children were not allowed to speak their languages or maintain their cultural and spiritual practices. Harsh physical discipline and sexual abuse were common. Many children died in these schools and those who survived were forever changed. Boarding school students were stripped of their cultures and all symbols of their Indigenous identity including cutting their hair and forcing them to wear uniforms. The term Orange Shirt Day comes from a six-year-old girl whose new orange shirt was taken away when she entered the school. She subsequently became an activist, raising awareness of the legacy of intergenerational trauma resulting from these schools.
In the beginning activists wanted to create meaningful change with “Orange Shirt Day” through media such as https://youtu.be/EuW4WbekhxY
Now that we have increased awareness it is essential to move beyond awareness and take concrete actions that addresses the underlying issues. Moving forward we need to look at several different considerations.
Consideration 1 We need to develop integrated education and training – We need to advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous history, particularly the impact of residential schools, in all levels of education including within social work curricula. This ensures that future generations are educated on these issues and;
We need organisations to prioritise workplace training on cultural competence and the historical context of Indigenous issues to foster understanding and sensitivity in workplaces.
Education and training must be meaningful and accompanied by structural changes. Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission required Indigenous content in education but without proper support for teachers who were mandated to incorporate this material and structural changes in education systems these requirements often led to resentment rather than reconciliation.
Consideration 2 We need more Policy Advocacy – Lobby for Legislative changes to pass legislation that supports the rights of Indigenous peoples, such as funding for education, healthcare, and reparations for survivors of residential schools and;
In some countries like the United States there are treaty requirements that the federal government fund education and healthcare. Despite treaties being the supreme law of the land, the government often acts as if this is discretionary funding. Advocacy is needed to hold settler governments accountable.
Promote Restorative Justice through advocating for justice and reparations for the survivors of residential schools. This could involve legal support, mental health services, or compensation.
Consideration 3 Increase and support Community Empowerment – Support Indigenous-Led Initiatives by supporting programs and projects that are led by Indigenous people which includes funding, resources, and capacity-building and secondly; organize community forums where Indigenous voices are prioritized, and their perspectives on necessary changes are heard and acted upon.
Orange Shirt Day emerged from a grassroots movement and is also known as Every Child Matters. Social workers can seek out information on Indigenous-led movements in their area.
Consideration 4 Long term Commitments – Push for long-term commitments from institutions (e.g., schools, universities, corporations) to implement policies that support Indigenous rights and recognition and;
Some colleges and universities have endowments generated from stolen Indigenous lands and continue to benefit financially from these thefts. The 2020 expose in the High Country News documents which universities in the United States have profited from specific pieces on Indigenous lands and can be accessed at https://www.hcn.org/issues/52-4/indigenous-affairs-education-land-grab-universities/
Support initiatives aimed at preserving Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditions, which are often threatened by historical and ongoing colonization. Historically, boarding schools were part of this colonization.
Consideration 5 Partnerships and Collaborations –Working directly with Indigenous leaders and communities to identify priorities and strategies for change and ensure their leadership in decision-making processes.
Multi-Sector Collaboration by engaging governments, NGOs, businesses, and educational institutions to work together on comprehensive plans that address systemic issues facing Indigenous peoples.
Consideration 6 Resource Allocation – Appropriate funding allocation of resources to support Indigenous education, healthcare, and social services. This includes government funding, grants, and private donations. Secondly the support of economic initiatives that benefit Indigenous communities, such as land rights, business development, and employment programs.
Consideration 7 Public Accountability – Establish systems for tracking the progress of initiatives related to Indigenous rights and reconciliation and ensure the outcomes are publicly reported on to maintain accountability and hold Institutions accountable where they have been involved in past harms, ensuring they take responsibility and make reparative actions. This must include tracking how land grant colleges and universities that benefit from stolen Indigenous land make reparations.
Consideration 8 Personal and Collective Action – Encourage individuals to commit to ongoing learning, allyship, and advocacy. This includes supporting Indigenous businesses, participating in local initiatives, and challenging racist behaviours.
Build or join movements that demand systemic change, using the momentum from awareness days like Orange Shirt Day to push for broader societal shifts.
Consideration 9 Support for Survivors – Enable mental health services including advocating for comprehensive mental health services for survivors of residential schools and their families and support programs that focus on healing and reconciliation, including cultural restoration and trauma-informed care. In some instances, this may involve specialized Indigenous services and healing practices.
Recognizing the widespread impact of the boarding schools, some social agencies ask potential clients if they or any of their family members attended boarding schools as a part of the intake process.
In Canada and the United States unmarked graves have been discovered at many boarding schools. These gruesome finds can trigger deep emotions for Indigenous people. Clinicians must be prepared to offer support.
Consideration 10 Visibility and Representation – Ensure that Indigenous voices are represented in media, leadership roles, and public discourse. This includes supporting Indigenous artists, authors, and leaders and promote and participate in events that celebrate Indigenous culture and resilience, helping to shift narratives from victimhood to empowerment. National social work organizations can establish platforms to highlight Indigenous issues, voices, and Peoples.
Creating lasting change involves both systemic and grassroots efforts. By focusing on education, policy advocacy, community empowerment, and accountability, you can help transform the awareness generated by initiatives like Orange Shirt Day into meaningful action that benefits Indigenous communities.