CDI College led a student fundraiser to raise money for Orange Shirt Day, or the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in BC. Orange T-shirts were sold by donation to students and other members of the community, and the total amount raised was $4,500 towards the Orange Shirt Society.
Prior to September 30, CDI College students were asked to participate in a friendly design competition to create CDI College's official orange T-shirts. Through a vetted submission process - Krystal, Child and Youth Services Worker graduate of Edmonton City Centre campus - was nominated and her T-shirt design was chosen on behalf of CDI College. Her design was prominently displayed on the front of each orange T-shirt, sold by donation.
In addition to selling orange T-shirts by donation, each CDI College region across Canada made it a focus to support local Indigenous businesses, leading up to Orange Shirt Day. A featured business was chosen in each of the Canadian provinces in which a CDI College campus resides. Learn more here.
About Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is commemorated on September 30 each year, as thousands of individuals gather across the country to remember and honor the victims and survivors of residential schools. Inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad - who wore a bright orange shirt on her first day attending a BC residential school in 1973 - had her shirt stripped from her, never to be seen again. This act represented the poor and unfair treatment that many Indigenous children and families experienced from the late 1800s to early 1990s, when the last residential school was finally shut down.
Orange Shirt Day is now recognized as a Canadian federal holiday: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. As of now, resolutions have currently been passed by local governments, school districts, and First Nations in the Cariboo and beyond. This new national holiday will also serve to commemorate residential school survivors and further educate thousands of Canadians. For more information, visit www.orangeshirtday.org.
