Orange Shirt Day, September 30th, 2026

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. It is a time to honour survivors of residential schools, the children who never returned home, and their families and communities.

The day invites us to deepen our understanding of the residential school system and its lasting impacts. It also calls on us to reflect on our individual and collective responsibilities in advancing truth and meaningful reconciliation and building respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

All Gulf Islands School District schools will be closed tomorrow, September 30, in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Today, staff and students are wearing their orange shirts as an expression of remembrance and solidarity, and to affirm that Every Child Matters.

We respectfully acknowledge and express our deep gratitude to the local Indigenous rights holders - the Coast Salish SENĆOŦEN and Hul’qumi’num speaking peoples. In particular, we honour the BOḰEĆEN, SȾÁUTW̱, W̱JOȽEȽP, W̱SÍKEM, MÁLEXEŁ, Quw’utsun, Spune’luxutth, HALALT and LEEY’QSUN Nations, who have been stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial.