Victoria Orange Shirt Day: Xe Xe Smun’ Eem (Sacred Children)
Residential school survivor Eddy Charlie and friend Kristin Spray have been co-organizers of Victoria Orange Shirt Day: Xe Xe Smun’ Eem (Sacred Children) since September 2015. Xe Xe Smun’ Eem (sacred children) comes from the Hul Qumi unum language, of the Quw utsun (Cowichan) peoples. Eddy felt that this name best reflected the intention and spirit of the work he and Kristin do to educate people and raise awareness of the Residential School system in Canada. To learn more bout the work of Xe Xe Smun’ Eem and to buy shirts please visit: http://www.victoriaorangeshirtday.com/
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PS has been truly honoured to host Eddy and Kristin and have their regular participation in IPS training activities, over the past four years. Orange Shirt Day (OSD) is growing in recognition as an event that encourages Canadians to educate themselves about and to acknowledge the harm caused by the Residential School system. OSD is also an affirmation of our shared commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters.
Orange Shirt Day, celebrated annually on September 30th, was started by Phyllis Webstad who said, “Orange Shirt Day is to honour Residential School Survivors and their families and to remember those who never made it.” To learn more about the history of this initiative and more about Phyllis Webstad’s story please visit: http://www.orangeshirtday.org/
