Orange Shirt Day officially began in 2013, but its roots run deep: in 1973 when Phyllis Webstad arrived at St. Joseph Mission Residential School she was wearing a new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother. Upon arrival, the shirt was taken from her. Decades later, Phyllis shared that story publicly, and in 2013, it became the foundation of Orange Shirt Day: a movement created to honour Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and affirm that Every Child Matters.
The movement began two years before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its final report and 94 Calls to Action in 2015. More than a decade later, Orange Shirt Day has grown into a national movement, and September 30 is now recognized federally as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Phyllis’ story is only one across thousands, and what matters is how we continue to respond to these truths, matching our commitment to reconciliation with action.
For five years, Indspire and Giant Tiger have worked together to turn remembrance into meaningful action, creating opportunities for Indigenous learners across Canada. Through the Orange Shirt Day campaign, more than $1.8 million has been raised in support of the Giant Tiger Learning from the Past Bursary, helping First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students pursue post-secondary education in Indigenous Studies and Languages.
This year’s orange shirt features an original design by Emily Kewageshig, an Anishinaabe artist and visual storyteller from Saugeen First Nation No. 29.
Drawing on Anishinaabe teachings, Emily’s work explores the interconnectedness of all living beings. Through vivid colours and bold graphic lines, her design reflects balance, renewal, and the cycles of life—carrying a message that feels especially meaningful as people across the country reflect on the ongoing work of truth and reconciliation.
“I’ve been highlighting Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day for a long time, personally through social media and through my art,” says Emily. “It’s really special to now be able to share that message on a bigger stage, with two organizations that are helping amplify it and doing everything they can to contribute to the cause.”
From remembrance to opportunity
Orange Shirt Day asks us to remember, but also to consider what we do with that remembrance.
For Indspire, education is an essential part of that work.
The Learning from the Past Fund provides bursaries to Indigenous post-secondary students pursuing Indigenous Studies and Languages—supporting learners who are studying the histories, knowledge, cultures, and languages that generations before them fought with their lives to protect.
Behind every bursary is a student with their own story, ambitions, and vision for what comes next.
In the video above, hear directly from Indigenous students about what education means to them, the paths they are building for themselves and their communities, and what support like the Learning from the Past Fund makes possible.
“Reconciliation requires meaningful, sustained action, and partnerships like this demonstrate what is possible when we come together with a shared commitment to Indigenous learners,” says Jocelyn Formsma, President & CEO of Indspire. “For five years, Giant Tiger’s Orange Shirt Day Campaign has had a profound impact for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis learners pursuing post-secondary education in Indigenous languages and cultures. We are grateful to continue this important work together.”
Five years of meaningful partnership
Since the beginning of the campaign, Giant Tiger and its customers have helped raise more than $1.8 million for the Giant Tiger Learning from the Past Bursary. That number represents five years of people choosing to participate, but its impact reaches far beyond a single day, campaign, or shirt.
It means more Indigenous students having the opportunity to pursue their education. It means supporting the study and continuation of Indigenous languages and cultures, and it demonstrates what can happen when reconciliation is approached not simply as a conversation, but as an ongoing commitment.
This year’s Orange Shirt Day shirt is available at select Giant Tiger stores and online, with 100% of profits from the sale of the shirt donated to Indspire in support of the Giant Tiger Learning from the Past Bursary.
As we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, we honour the Survivors of residential schools, the children who never returned home, their families, and their communities.
And through education, partnership, and sustained action, we invest in the generations carrying culture, education, and identity forward.
Learn more about Indspire’s Learning from the Past Fund and how it supports Indigenous students pursuing Indigenous Studies and Languages.
