Every Child Matters

CanadaIndigenous

Nov 6

The Every Child Matters flag is a powerful symbol in Canada, representing the ongoing need for reconciliation, healing, and justice for Indigenous children and communities. It was created to raise awareness of the legacy of residential schools and to honor the thousands of children who were affected by this dark chapter in Canadian history. The flag has become an emblem of remembrance and a call to action in the broader context of Indigenous rights and reconciliation.

The Every Child Matters flag features an orange background, with a handprint in the center. The handprint is typically in white and black, symbolizing the spirit of Indigenous children who suffered in residential schools. Orange was chosen as the color because it was the favorite color of Phyllis Webstad, a Secwepemc woman whose story inspired the creation of Orange Shirt Day, which has since evolved into a significant day of remembrance in Canada.

In 1973, when Phyllis Webstad was just six years old, she was sent to a residential school in British Columbia. On her first day, she wore a new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother. However, when she arrived at the school, the staff stripped her of her shirt and replaced it with a school uniform. This act of humiliation left a lasting mark on her, and she would later describe how the stripping of her shirt symbolized the loss of her identity, culture, and the deep trauma that Indigenous children experienced in the residential school system.

The orange shirt symbolizes the loss of innocence, the disruption of families, and the forced assimilation that Indigenous children faced. The handprint represents the individuality of each child who was taken from their families, their cultures, and their communities. It stands as a testament to the resilience and strength of Indigenous children, despite the abuses they endured.

Canada’s residential school system operated from the 19th century until the late 20th century. The schools were government-sponsored, and many were run by Christian religious institutions. Children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and placed in these schools, where they were subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The objective was to assimilate Indigenous children into European-Canadian culture, erasing their languages, traditions, and spiritual practices.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada, which was established in 2008 to investigate the legacy of residential schools, uncovered the deeply disturbing truth of this system. The Commission’s findings included testimonies from survivors and their families, and it led to calls for national awareness and healing. The Every Child Matters flag, alongside initiatives such as Orange Shirt Day, serves as a visual and emotional representation of this dark past.

The flag is not only a tool for remembrance but also a powerful call to action. It encourages Canadians to recognize the harm done to Indigenous communities and to take part in the process of reconciliation. The flag has been adopted by many communities, schools, and organizations across Canada, where it is raised on Orange Shirt Day every September 30. This day serves as an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the historical and ongoing impacts of residential schools, as well as the work that still needs to be done to support Indigenous communities.

The Every Child Matters flag also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the lived experiences of Indigenous children and survivors. It advocates for the healing of intergenerational trauma that still affects many Indigenous families today.