Orange Shirt Day Returns to Lamoureux Park on September 30

Orange Shirt Day returns to Lamoureux Park on September 30 for its fourth year, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This community event honors residential school survivors and celebrates Indigenous history and culture through dancing, drumming, singing, educational activities, food and stories.

Orange Shirt Day is a national movement that began in Canada to recognize and raise awareness about the experiences of Indigenous children who were taken from their families and placed in residential schools. The day, inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school, serves as a solemn reminder that “Every Child Matters.” It calls on all Canadians to reflect, learn, and support reconciliation efforts.

The success of the Orange Shirt Day event is made possible through the collaboration of dedicated community partners, including Akwesasne Child and Family Services, Akwesasne Representative and Advocacy Program, Native North American Travelling College, Children’s Aid Society of Stormont, Dundas and the City of Cornwall.

These organizations work to plan and deliver an event that is inclusive, educational, and respectful, strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the community.

Visitors can enjoy traditional performances and support local entrepreneurship. Orange shirts will be available to purchase, with all proceeds going to the Akwesasne Freedom School, supporting Mohawk language and cultural education.

“Orange Shirt Day is more than a day of remembrance, it’s a day of commitment. We gather at Lamoureux Park to honor those who survived, remember those who did not, and pledge ourselves to the ongoing work of reconciliation. Every child matters, and every voice matters,” said Kim Herne from the Akwesasne Representative and Advocacy Program.

Attendees are encouraged to wear orange in support, and all are welcome. Admission is free. To help ensure everyone can participate, Cornwall Transit will be offering free transit service to the event.

If you wish to volunteer at the event, please contact Nova Cook at [email protected].