Every Child Matters is more than a phrase. It is a movement, a remembrance, and a call for justice. It reminds us that every child deserves love, safety, and the right to grow up connected to their family and culture.
A Painful History
For many decades, Indigenous children in Canada and the U.S. were taken from their homes and placed into residential schools. These schools were designed to erase Indigenous languages, traditions, and identities. Children were forbidden to speak their mother tongue, practice their culture, or live in the way their families had raised them.
Life in these schools was harsh. Many children faced neglect, abuse, and loneliness. Families were torn apart, and communities were left with deep wounds. Most tragically, thousands of children never returned home. Their voices were silenced, but their memory continues to live on.
The Story of the Orange Shirt
One story that has touched hearts around the world is that of Phyllis Webstad. In 1973, six-year-old Phyllis was preparing for her first day at a residential school. Her grandmother had bought her a bright new orange shirt ā something she was proud and excited to wear.
But the moment Phyllis arrived at the school, the shirt was taken away, and she never saw it again. That shirt symbolized the love of her family and the joy of being a child. Losing it meant more than just losing clothing ā it meant losing her sense of belonging and freedom.
This story became the foundation of Orange Shirt Day (September 30), now recognized across Canada and beyond. The orange shirt has become a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the message that Every Child Matters.
Why Every Child Matters
The movement calls us to:
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š§” Remember the children who never came home.
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š§” Honor the survivors of residential schools.
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š§” Support healing within Indigenous communities.
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š§” Build a future where every child is safe, loved, and respected.
Wearing orange, sharing the message, and listening to survivor stories are small but powerful ways to show solidarity. Each action reminds us that no child should ever be forgotten, and no culture should ever be silenced.
Moving Forward Together
Every Child Matters is not only about the past ā it is about the future we are creating. By learning, reflecting, and standing together, we ensure that the painful history of residential schools will never be repeated.
š§” Every Child Matters ā yesterday, today, and tomorrow.