Manitoba businesses are trying to decide how best to mark Orange Shirt Day, now that the national day for reflection on the impacts of the residential school system will be observed as a statutory holiday in the province.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, also referred to as Orange Shirt Day, has been a statutory holiday for federal workers since 2021. Last year, Manitoba passed legislation recognizing it as a statutory holiday for all workers in the province, though some Manitoba-based businesses and schools were already observing it.
But the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce says while most members are likely aware of their responsibilities, some business owners may not realize treating the day as a stat is no longer optional.
“Like any change in any type of employment standards code, there needs to be a greater awareness campaign,” said Loren Remillard, the business organization’s president and CEO.
“In time, of course, we know that the awareness will be widespread and that businesses will be compliant.”
Remillard said while the day may technically be considered a holiday, business owners and employees will also have to reflect on the meaning of what’s being commemorated as they consider best practices.
“The importance of the day isn’t a day off. It’s about a day to pause and reflect, and better understand what truth and reconciliation means, and what part we all play in that journey,” he said.
‘Talk about what it means’
Michelle Cameron, owner of INAC (the Indigenous Nations Apparel Company), has previously given staff at her Winnipeg-based clothing store the day off on Sept. 30, but thinks making the day a statutory holiday means more people will be able to participate.
She said she often get questions from other businesses about how to mark the day.
“I always tell people I’ll take a second or take a minute and reflect on what this day means to us as Indigenous people, and what can you do as a company?” she said.
“How about huddle in the morning and talk about what it means? We do the same thing within our company.… We also go out and walk with the community as a whole [on Sept. 30] and we will celebrate that and share what it means to us.”
In 2021, the House of Commons unanimously passed legislation to make Sept. 30 the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in order to commemorate the history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools and to honour the survivors, families and communities who continue to grieve for those who were lost.
The day is also known as Orange Shirt Day in honour of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken away when she arrived at a residential school in 1973 at the age of six.
As awareness of the day and what it stands for grows, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation says more and more businesses are looking to learn about residential schools.
It’s expanding its Truth and Reconciliation Week programming by offering lunch and learn sessions, which will be recorded and posted online for future access.
“There generally was a gap in the content that was available to the general public,” said NCTR education director Kaila Johnston.
Now, there’s a growing desire from businesses and special interest groups to learn how they can respectfully engage with Indigenous people and communities, and support their staff in “becoming educated in this matter,” she said.
Businesses in Manitoba are figuring out how to proceed now that the Sept. 30 national day for reflection on the impacts of the residential school system will be observed as a statutory holiday in the province.