DARK SIDE CASE: Orange Shirt Day: Exploitation of Indigenous Peoples and Appropriation of Culture

Abstract

At just six years old, in 1973, Phyllis Webstad was filled with excitement to go to the Mission School near Williams Lake, British Columbia. Living on Dog Creek Reserve — Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, her grandmother had intentionally saved up in order to gift her a shiny new orange shirt for her first day of school. It was never to be seen again. Since then, the colour orange has reminded Phyllis of that moment when her feelings did not matter, and her worth was nothing. Years later she reflects on how those initial feelings of worthlessness and significance affected her life. On September 30, 2013, Phyllis spoke about her experience at The Mission School, starting the Orange Shirt Day movement. The colour orange is associated with the stolen lives of Indigenous children who were forced into residential schools. However, for Indigenous communities it is a symbol of solidarity, healing, and allyship. September 30, 2021 was what we now call “Canada’s”, first National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Orange shirts were worn across the country, signifying emotions from sorrow to strength, unity, and defiance. The act of solidarity was jaded by the finding of that many Indigenous artists’ intellectual property was stolen and used without permission for commercial gain. As the importance of the day grows what can be done to prevent further exploitation?