The resource shared is a physical book called “Phyllis and Her Orange Shirt” that many of the school districts have in their libraries but it can also be purchased online or at Indigo books. The story is a story written by a residential school survivor and it follows the story of Phyllis Webstad as a young girl being sent to a residential school. Phyllis is from British Columbia and went to residential school in Mission, BC. When she arrived her orange shirt that she was wearing was taken from her and she never saw it again. The story talks about loss and focuses alot on how when these people took things from her she felt very sad. Many use this resource as a way to talk about loss and acknowledge all the other orange shirts that never made it home. I think this resource is a great way to stay true to the meaning of Orange Shirt Day while remianing age appropriate and concious of the community. This resource link is a video of Phyllis Webstad speaking about her story.
Classroom Idea:
This book would be a good book to read in September to prepare for Truth & Reconcilliation day. It is important to remember that talking about Truth & Reconcilliation day with young students could be overwhelming or potentially retraumatizing for students and their families. This book is a great way to get the message of loss across to students, while remaining age appropriate in content. After reading the book in class you could talk briefly with the students about how it feels when you lose something and how on Orange Shirt day we honour all of those feelings people have when they lose something they love.