Mrs. Leonard came to our room and read the book "The Orange Shirt Story" to us. This book tells the story of Phyllis Webstad's orange shirt in a gentle way without being scary for children. This story has been, and will continue to be, a conversation starter. It helps introduce crucial conversations about our shared history and particularly the history of residential schools in Canada.
More info about the book and Orange Shirt Day:
When Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) turned six, she was sent to a residential school for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her. She was incredibly proud of this shirt, but the teachers at the school took her orange shirt away from her and never returned it. The Orange Shirt Story tells this story, embedding it in the larger story about Canada’s residential schools and their lasting impact on First Nation’s children and their families. It also tells the story of Orange Shirt Day—an important day of remembrance for First Nation’s Canadians of all ages.