Ozaawaa Babigoyaan Giizhigad / Orange Shirt Day
- Date
- September 30, 2026
- Time
- 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
- Location
- Various Locations
- Open To
- Students, faculty, staff and community members
- Contact
- Indigenous events team indigevents@torontomu.ca
Ozaawaa Babigoyaan Giizhigad / Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation occur annually on September 30. It is a commemorative day of recognition and awareness-raising about the impacts of the Indian Residential School system and government policy imposed on Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Ozaawaa Babigoyaan Giizhigad / Orange Shirt Day originated from the story of Phyllis Webstad (external link) , who is a residential school survivor.
What to expect
All TMU community members are invited to join the Ozaawaa Babigoyaan Giizhigad / Orange Shirt Day events to honour and commemorate the survivors of Indian Residential Schools and remember the children who did not return home.
This gathering also provides an opportunity to acknowledge and bring forth a healing ceremony in response to the Standing Strong Standing (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force (Recommendation 16).
On September 30th, the day will begin with the lighting of a sacred fire, followed by a sunrise ceremony led by Elwood Ashawasega elder at Weecheetowin Support Services (external link) . If you are attending the sunrise ceremony, please bring a lawn chair and ensure that all protocols are respectfully followed.
The day will continue with an opening and welcoming remarks, followed by a presentation, hands-on craft session, and an Indigenous Feast. Attendees will then participate in a silent memorial walk on campus, followed by a jingle dress healing dance.
Afterwards, attendees can make their way to Everbrick Greenworks or join livestream.
Attendees are encouraged to wear orange to show solidarity and respect to survivors and their families.
Registration is required for all events. You can choose which events you plan to attend on the registration form.
Gchi-twaa | Sacred Fire
- Time: 7:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kerr Hall Quad (Northeast)
- Description: Opportunity for offering tobacco and prayers.
- Moontime protocol: Please keep in mind, the protocol of women on their “moontime” (menstrual time) is to refrain from being directly at the sacred fire and within the dancing circle. If you are wanting to offer some prayers, helpers at the fire can offer tobacco for you.
Agenda
7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. | Pipe Ceremony
Location: Kerr Hall Quad, 43 Gerrard St. E.
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | Check-in Registration & Networking
Location: Upper Gym (KHW-271) Accessible Entrance: 31 Gerrard St. E
9:30 a.m. | Welcome Remarks
Welcome Remarks by Master of Ceremony
Land Acknowledgment by Jane Schmidt
Phylis Webstad's Orange Shirt Story (external link) - Video
Remarks by Joanne Dallaire, Elder and Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. | Early Learning Centre Reading
Location: Upper Gym (KHW-271) Accessible Entrance: 31 Gerrard St. E
We will welcome our friends from the Early Learning Centre with a storytime opening song and will read With Our Orange Hearts by Phyllis Webstad. Led by Jane Schmidt
10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force (SSTF) Recommendation 16
Location: Upper Gym (KHW-271) Accessible Entrance: 31 Gerrard St. E
Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force
Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost and Vice-President, Academic
10:30 a.m. | Welcome Remarks
Welcome Remarks by Mohamad Lachemi, President
10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | Memorial Presentation
Location: Upper Gym (KHW-271) Accessible Entrance: 31 Gerrard St. E
September 30, 2026, we reflect not only on the legacy of residential schools, but also on the importance of remembrance, and healing. Join us in witnessing this visual tribute, bearing the names of the thousands of children whose deaths have been verified through the NCTR’s extensive research.
The National Student Memorial Register is an evolving list of student names that remembers, honours and acknowledges children who died as a result of the residential school system. In recognizing these children, we acknowledge the pain inflicted on families and communities.
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Hands-on Crafting: Mini Orange Shirt Day Flags
Location: Upper Gym (KHW-271) Accessible Entrance: 31 Gerrard St. E
Join the hands-on crafting creating messaging on the Mini Orange Shirt Day flags to carry on the memorial walk.
12:00 p.m. | Indigenous Feast
Location: Upper Gym (KHW-271) Accessible Entrance: 31 Gerrard St. E
1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. | Silent Memorial Walk to former Egerton Ryerson Statue Site
Location: Meet in the main lobby of Jorgenson Hall (JOR) (380 Victoria St.)
As you walk, reflect on what it would feel like to attend an institution like TMU where you couldn't speak your language, practice your beliefs or see your family. Consider the experience through the eyes of a child as young as four or five.
At the former statue site, participants will be invited to place their paper orange shirts in the soil, symbolizing the contrasting experiences of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. A clean-up team will recycle these items afterward.
1:45 p.m. | Jingle Dress Teachings & Healing Dance
Location: Upper Gym (KHW-271) Accessible Entrance: 31 Gerrard St. E
This Jingle Dress Healing Dance is for those seeking healing, prayer, and support.
Moontime protocols are to be followed and respected. No moontime.
To honour the dancers, ceremony, and those seeking healing, no recordings, video, or photographs are permitted.
Please enter the circle with respect, good intentions, and an understanding that this is a sacred healing space.
3:00 p.m. | The Right to Truth: Protecting Indian Residential School Records
In less than one year, the largest archive of Survivor testimony on residential schools is set to be destroyed. In an era of rising residential school denialism, what is at stake when survivor records are lost? Join us at Evergreen Brickworks (or stream online) to learn more about the process and how to protect Survivor records scheduled for destruction.
Option: Join us at Evergreen Brickworks or virtual.
For more information and how to register: (external link) therighttotruth.eventbrite.ca (external link)
Accessibility
This event is wheelchair accessible. TMU is committed to the accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. If you require any additional accessibility accommodations to ensure your full participation.
This event is part of reconciliation at TMU
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada released the report Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future (external link) , which outlines the history and legacy of Canada’s residential school system and 94 Calls to Action to redress the legacy of those schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.
In response to the TRC’s Education Calls to Action, after two years of community consultations, TMU released the Truth and Reconciliation Community Consultation Summary Report and established the TRC Strategic Working Group, which structured much of TMU’s work toward addressing the Calls to Action.
Today, TMU remains committed to increasing awareness of Indigenous histories, worldviews and cultures and continues to promote inclusion of Indigenous persons and perspectives at the university and foster respectful dialogue and relationships between both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members. Learn more about TMU’s ongoing work toward Truth and Reconciliation.
Organizer
This event is organized by a collective, Orange Shirt Day Planning Circle of Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues, led by Crystal Osawamick.
The committee includes staff from Office of the President; University Events And Ceremonies; Office of the Provost; Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion; Indigenous Initiatives; Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services; Rebirthed Teachings; Indigenous Student Association; Alumni Relations; Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching; Indigenous Education Council; Lincoln Alexander School of Law; School of Early Childhood Studies; Student Affairs; School of Medicine; and TMU Libraries.
Crystal Osawamick is the manager of Indigenous events and special projects at TMU.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email Crystal Osawamick, manager of Indigenous events and special projects, at indigevents@torontomu.ca.
Support for Indigenous students, faculty and staff
Indigenous students can access culturally supportive programs and services, including peer support groups and Indigenous traditional counselling through Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services.
The Centre for Student Development and Counselling (CSDC) is working in collaboration with Indigenous Initiatives and Indigenous Student Services in the OVPECI to offer counselling support to Indigenous students. Indigenous students looking to learn more or book an appointment can contact Lisa LaFreniere at lisa.lafreniere@torontomu.ca and Eden Abraham at eden.abraham@torontomu.ca.
Good2Talk (external link) is a free, confidential and anonymous service for post-secondary students for 24/7 professional counselling. Good2Talk also provides mental health information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being. Access their services immediately by calling 1-866-925-5454 or texting “GOOD2TALKON” to 686868.
Through the university’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), Telus Health, Workplace Wellbeing Services and Indigenous Initiatives have arranged for Michael Diotte (Indigenous trauma counsellor) to be available for individual, confidential, virtual or in-person counselling (Michael is located in Oshawa area).
Indigenous employees (who have self-identified through the Employee Diversity Self-ID Program) can call the Telus Health Care Access Centre at 1-844-880-9142 and request an appointment with Michael.
Indigenous employees who have not self-identified through the Employee Diversity Self-ID Program and wish to access support through Life Works are also eligible for this service. If you have any questions about your eligibility for EFAP services, contact Jennifer Alefounder (Director, Workplace Wellbeing) at jennifer.alefounder@torontomu.ca. Jennifer continues to be a member of the working group that oversees the ongoing resources and support of Indigenous employees.She will be on-site as well for immediate support.
A Talking Circle for Indigenous Staff and Faculty at TMU will be held virtually with Lloyd H Robertson
Refer to form to register:
https://forms.gle/OSDTalking CircleLloyd (external link)
Registrants will be sent Zoom details to their email
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society is a provincial organization that provides essential services to residential school survivors and families experiencing intergenerational trauma. For immediate crisis support, please call 1-866-925-4419, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.