Students at the Klukwan School got a quick lesson on Orange Shirt Day on Tuesday as they prepared for their second day of moose camp.
The day, which is commemorated on Sept. 30, is also called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and it recognizes the legacy of the residential school system in Canada. A similar system also impacted many Alaska Native people. Ceremony marking the day started in 2013 and has since spread globally.
While students sat in the school’s cafeteria, Chilkat Indian Village Tribal Educational Liaison Clara Natonabah told them an abbreviated version of Phyllis Webstad’s story. Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc woman, was taken to a residential school when she was six years old in Canada in the early 1970s. Webstad recalled wearing a brand new orange shirt to school and how it was stripped from her when she arrived.
Shk’oohaalee Justina Hotch told students they would wear orange on Monday to commemorate the day and advance the idea that “Every Child Matters,” which is also the official tagline of the day. Staff will have stickers – designed by Tlingít artist Skweit – Jesse Morgan – and ribbons for everyone as well.
Additionally, Jamiann S’eiltin Hasselquist, who has family in Klukwan and Angoon, will give a presentation about Orange Shirt Day.
Hotch said elders and other community members would be joining students during lunch time on Monday. They’ll be eating moose the students helped to harvest this week.
Hotch walked the children through how to make visitors to the school feel welcome, including serving them food first and asking if they need anything, and speaking in Tlingít when possible.