Orange Shirt Day
Sept. 30 is Orange Shirt Day, an annual day of remembrance to acknowledge the history and lasting impacts of residential and day schools. The national movement was sparked by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad’s story. Her orange shirt — which was removed by authorities on her first day of school — has become a symbol of the harmful impacts of Canada’s residential and day school system.
Learn More About Phyllis Webstad’s Story
Carleton University is committed to conciliation, as outlined in Kinàmàgawin, a revitalized long-term Indigenous strategy with 41 calls to action to make our university a more welcoming space for current and future Indigenous students and faculty members. This Orange Shirt Day, Carleton is encouraging members of our community to wear orange, meaningfully reflect on the harmful impact of residential and day schools, and seek out opportunities toward conciliation – on this day and beyond.
Community Gathering: Every Child Matters
Join the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and the Carleton University Students’ Association in collaboration with the CUSA Mawandoseg Centre on Sept. 30, from noon to 1 p.m., at the university flagpoles on Library Road in honour of Orange Shirt Day. The gathering will create a shared campus moment to honour and remember the children, families, survivors and communities affected by the residential and day school system, while encouraging continued learning, reflection and participation beyond Sept. 30. The event forms part of Reconciliation Beyond, Mawandoseg’s broader campaign encouraging the Carleton community to continue engaging with truth and reconciliation beyond a single day of recognition.
Other Campus Activities
On Sept. 30, an Every Child Matters flag will be flown at half-mast and both the bridge at the north end of campus and the Richcraft Hall underpass will be illuminated in orange.
Community members can purchase an Every Child Matters shirt
through the Campus Store, proceeds will be donated to the Orange Shirt Society.
The Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement
(CISCE) is offering a free Every Child Matters shirt to First Nations, Métis
and Inuit students. To request a shirt, email Indigenous@carleton.ca.
Campus Safety Services is collecting donations for the Minwaashin Lodge Emergency Food Cupboard until Sept. 30. Non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products and baby supplies can be dropped off at the Campus Safety Services Office (Pigarvik 203), Alumni Hall (at the Athletics welcome desk) or in Teraanga Commons (by the Residence Desk). Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made online at minlodge.com/donate.
Events
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Sep 30
Every Child Matters Flag Raising Event
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12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
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Library Road at the University Flagpoles near Azrieli Theatre, Carleton University
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Sep 30
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Program for Indigenous Students
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11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
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228 – Ojigkwanong Paterson Hall, Carleton University
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Oct 6
Understanding Indigenous Peoples: Foundations of Knowledge and Learning
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1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
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608 Pigiarvik, Carleton University
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Oct 6
2026 Shadd Cary Lecture with Eden Fineday
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6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Second Floor, Atrium Richcraft Hall, Carleton University
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Nov 5
Kinàmàgawin Symposium
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9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
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TBD
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Nov 6
Supporting Indigenous Students: Pathways to Success at Carleton
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9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
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608 Pigiarvik, Carleton University
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Visit the Indigenous Gathering Site for more information on Indigenous research talks, speaking events and symposiums.
Stories and Announcements
Honouring Orange Shirt Day
September 30 marks Orange Shirt Day, a time to honour survivors of residential and day schools and reflect on the lasting impacts these institutions continue to have on Indigenous Peoples, families and communities.
Indigenous Graduation Honouring Ceremony
Each year, Ottawa-area post-secondary institutions come together to host this ceremony in honour of Indigenous graduates, celebrating their accomplishments and supporting them as they move forward.
New Inuktitut Radio Program Broadcasts Live in Ottawa
Kitchisipimi Pivalliajut, a new live Inuktitut-language news program is broadcasting from the CKCU-FM studio at Carleton and is produced in partnership with Uvagut TV.
Round Dance Brings Carleton Community Together in Winter Celebration
A winter gathering took shape at Carleton University as students, faculty, staff and community members came together for a Round Dance, a First Nations ceremony grounded in unity, healing and cultural connection.
Indigenous Journalism Certificate Students Demonstrate Storytelling Superpowers
A truly remarkable moment in the history of Carleton’s journalism program unfolded during an in-person intensive course on audio journalism for students in the Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities.
Remembering Madeleine Kétéskwēw Dion Stout
Madeleine Kétéskwēw Dion Stout’s passing invites us to honour her extraordinary life and legacy. A Nehiyaw/Cree nurse, scholar and Indspire Laureate, she transformed Indigenous health across Turtle Island.
Resources and Ongoing Learning
Carleton’s Indigenous Gathering Site is a hub for all Indigenous events and programming on campus.
Following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report in 2015, the Carleton University Strategic Indigenous Initiatives Committee published the Kinàmàgawin (Learning Together) Report. Kinàmàgawin includes 41 Carleton-specific Calls to Action that encompass an overarching goal of making Carleton’s campus a safer space for current and future Indigenous students, staff and faculty members. The 2022 and 2024 Progress Reports showcase the significant collective actions undertaken to address the 41 Calls to Action since the initial Kinàmàgawin report release in May 2020.
Indigenous Student Resources
Carleton’s Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement supports students, staff and faculty by providing culturally safe spaces for dialogue and learning. They do this by nurturing a sense of belonging for Indigenous students and by developing and delivering resources and training to educate the Carleton community about the experiences, histories and worldviews of Indigenous peoples.
The Residential School Survivor Support Line is available 24/7 at 1-866-925-4419 for Indigenous members of the Carleton community who need support.