Wear orange today to remember children sent to residential schools, and those who did not return home

On Sept. 30, we encourage everyone to wear an orange shirt to send the message that Every Child Matters. The Orange Shirt movement highlights Phyllis Webstad’s experience; everything was taken from her on the first day of school, including an orange shirt her granny had bought for her. She and other children cried, feeling like no one cared.

The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) will honour all children in recognition of the harms caused by residential schools and the impacts on children’s self-esteem and wellbeing. We will show our support by wearing orange on Sept. 30.

AIAI Grand Chief Joel Abram states "Children were taken from their families, separated from their siblings and in some cases never returned home. We wear orange to show they will be remembered, honoured, and never forgotten"

AIAI Deputy Grand Chief Stacia Loft states “When everything was taken from her, Phyllis said she felt like no one cared, while her, and all the other children around her, cried. Every Sept, 30 we all wear an orange shirt to show our commitment that every child matters and that we care.”

The office of AIAI asks everyone to take a moment out of their day to reflect on those that suffered and those that never returned home. Let’s join together in solidarity to ensure this never happens again.

AIAI is mandated as a Political Territorial Organizations (PTO) to defend and enhance the Indigenous and Treaty rights of our seven member First Nations.  Our member nations include: Batchewana First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Delaware Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Wahta Mohawks.