50p
Why We Wear Orange
On Wednesday September 30th, Brentwood students ditched their uniforms and wore orange t-shirts, orange stickers and other orange clothing in honor of Orange Shirt Day. September 30th is recognized in order to promote reflection upon the wrongdoings of Canadian history and recognition of Canada’s First Nations People.
Started in 2013 by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad of Williams Lake, BC, Orange Shirt Day is increasingly and rightfully endorsed by schools and communities across Canada. In fact, there is talk that it may soon be recognized as a national statutory holiday. Brentwood is one of the many supportive communities that strives to recognize past, present and future descrimination and make a positive impact by participating in events such as this.
Orange Shirt Day was made possible at Brentwood through the help of Mrs Amiel and her BC First Peoples 12 students along with Ms Beausoleil. Mrs Amiel explains that the modern outline of the BC First Peoples 12 course promotes the analysis of the “relationship between non-indigenous people and indigenous people and the indigenous people and the Canadian government”. The students of this course have been selling orange t-shirts and stickers all week with the intention of donating the money to the Cowichan Tribes and their Thanksgiving meal donation program.
When I asked Mrs Amiel why Orange Shirt Day was especially important at Brentwood, she pointed out that Brentwood is an international school and for some students “residential schools are still an unknown”; Brentwood has the responsibility of educating Canadian and international students on the “atrocities that the Canadian Government sponsored”.
Ideas like decolonization and indigenization are crucial for Brentwood students to grasp as Canada takes further steps towards reconciling the damage of the past. “We have many different cultures within our Brentwood community and it’s important to educate and learn about all of them” reflected Ally D, Hope ‘21. The BC First People’s 12 student adds that “Considering we are on First Nations’ territory, it is especially important to participate in this event.”
Brentwood is proud to stand with Phyllis Webstad and countless other First Nations People as Canada continues along the path of reconciliation. It was heartwarming to see the school flooded with orange shirts signifying inclusion, acknowledgement, honor and diversity. Along with Canada, Brentwood continues to improve its community by supporting events and adapting to new traditions.
Zosia S, Hope ‘21
Started in 2013 by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad of Williams Lake, BC, Orange Shirt Day is increasingly and rightfully endorsed by schools and communities across Canada. In fact, there is talk that it may soon be recognized as a national statutory holiday. Brentwood is one of the many supportive communities that strives to recognize past, present and future descrimination and make a positive impact by participating in events such as this.
Orange Shirt Day was made possible at Brentwood through the help of Mrs Amiel and her BC First Peoples 12 students along with Ms Beausoleil. Mrs Amiel explains that the modern outline of the BC First Peoples 12 course promotes the analysis of the “relationship between non-indigenous people and indigenous people and the indigenous people and the Canadian government”. The students of this course have been selling orange t-shirts and stickers all week with the intention of donating the money to the Cowichan Tribes and their Thanksgiving meal donation program.
When I asked Mrs Amiel why Orange Shirt Day was especially important at Brentwood, she pointed out that Brentwood is an international school and for some students “residential schools are still an unknown”; Brentwood has the responsibility of educating Canadian and international students on the “atrocities that the Canadian Government sponsored”.
Ideas like decolonization and indigenization are crucial for Brentwood students to grasp as Canada takes further steps towards reconciling the damage of the past. “We have many different cultures within our Brentwood community and it’s important to educate and learn about all of them” reflected Ally D, Hope ‘21. The BC First People’s 12 student adds that “Considering we are on First Nations’ territory, it is especially important to participate in this event.”
Brentwood is proud to stand with Phyllis Webstad and countless other First Nations People as Canada continues along the path of reconciliation. It was heartwarming to see the school flooded with orange shirts signifying inclusion, acknowledgement, honor and diversity. Along with Canada, Brentwood continues to improve its community by supporting events and adapting to new traditions.
Zosia S, Hope ‘21