The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation:

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to speak in this Honourable House to bring attention to Orange Shirt Day.

Yesterday we proudly wore orange shirts to humbly pay our respects to the survivors of residential schools and to educate others on the history of residential schools in our country.

The origins of this day are attributed to Phyllis Webstad. As a young child in 1973 and attending her first day at a residential school, Phyllis’ new orange shirt was taken away from her. Orange became a constant reminder of the hurt and loneliness she felt as a residential school student.

The Premier and I shared the honour yesterday to meet virtually with the Grade 7 class at Bayview Academy in St. George’s to talk about Orange Shirt Day and learn what this day means to them. I was also honoured last evening to be at The Rooms for the opening of a new collection that tells the story of those former students, through their own eyes and in their own words.

Our Government remains committed to delivering apologies to former students of residential schools in this province when it is safe to do so.

By acknowledging the trauma felt by students and their painful memories, we make a commitment not to repeat past mistakes and to learn from the past. Affirming our commitment that every child matters brings us closer to achieving Reconciliation.

Thank you.