Today is Orange Shirt Day. If you’re like me (and probably many Americans) and don’t know much about this day, I encourage you to visit this website: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/.
Then, watch this brief video by Phyllis Webstad, a survivor of a Canadian residential boarding school.
The more I learn about the devastating effects of these schools on both First Nations people in Canada and Indigenous peoples in the U. S., I’m compelled to act to promote healing and reconciliation.
I’m just beginning this journey that must not be limited only to this day. If you’re further along than I am, I welcome your thoughts about how to proceed to assure that every child matters.
*Afterthoughts are my blog version of a practice followed in some Quaker meetings. After meeting for worship ends, people continue in silence for a few more minutes during which they’re invited to share thoughts or reflect on the morning’s worship. I’ve adopted the form here for last-day-of-the-month brief reflections on headlines, quotes, books, previous posts, maybe even bumper stickers and refrigerator magnets.
Iris Graville - Author 