Roots of Orange Shirt Day entwined with Williams Lake First Nation

September 29, 2022
Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation

It is now recognized nationally, marked by the colour orange. But Orange Shirt Day has deep-seated meaning for Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) – because its roots are entwined with the horrific history of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) and Canada’s dark legacy of residential schools.

Many children from WLFN, along with children from Ulkatcho First Nation, Mt. Currie First Nation and other First Nations communities were forced to attend St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School. Their stories, and the stories of children who attended residential schools across Canada, are now being told – and remembered every year on Sept. 30, now known as Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Chief Sellars recently discussed the Sept. 30 days of recognition on Interior Health’s Interior Voices podcast.

"Intergenerational trauma is a real thing," he says. "What are we doing to address the intergenerational piece, break the cycle and start seeing healthier families and communities?"

Stories@IH

Read related stories

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Name: Joanne Standish (she/her/hers) Job Title: Occupational health nurse and safety advisor Years of Service: 5.5 Worksite: Commerce Court / IH-…

2 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Diane Jules joined the Interior Health Board of Directors in January 2015. Over four terms and eight years, she has brought her insight,…

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture

The toxic drug crisis disproportionately affects Aboriginal Peoples. But accessing much needed health care continues to pose challenges for…

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Name: Fiona Bradford (she/her/hers)  Job Title: Social work professional practice leader Years of Service: 6 Worksite: East Kootenay Regional…

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture

We know that representation matters in health care. Women play an integral role in teams within Interior Health sites, departments, projects, and…

2 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Four teens have won Interior Health’s Take a Breath: Teen Voices on Tobacco and Vaping poster contest. Each winner will receive a $150 gift card…

STAY CONNECTED

Receive alerts, news and stories@IH right to your inbox!

mail