Lethbridge College gathered in centre core Wednesday afternoon to bring awareness on residential schools. Lethbridge College invited all staff, faculty and students to attend the ceremony and reflect on the history of residential schools and what that means for our future.

Lethbridge College was filled with orange t-shirts Wednesday afternoon as it hosted a ceremony honouring those who suffered through residential schools.

The college held the ceremony to bring attention towards reconciliation and hope for indigenous peoples.

According to Indigenous Corporate Training website, Orange shirt day is an annual event that officially began in 2013. However, it really began in 1973 when six-year-old, Phyllis Webstad entered the St. Joseph Mission Residential School, outside of Williams Lake, B.C.

Webstad was wearing a brand-new orange shirt for her first day of school, but the Mission Oblates quickly stripped her of her new shirt and replaced it with the school’s institutional uniform.

Grandparents and indigenous elders of the college gathered at the ceremony to share their stories on a discussion panel. The grandparents and elders included Peter Weasel Moccasin, Georgette Fox, Betty Ann Little Wolf and Louise Saloff.

Samantha Lenci, Provost and Vice President of Academic, said Lethbridge College needs to go beyond integrating indigenous knowledge and teaching in classrooms.

“We are so grateful for our elders who take the time to teach all of us what it’s like, what their stories are, how that connects with our story and how we can move the education world forward,” Lenci said.

Orange t-shirts were available for free in centre core of the college and participants had the opportunity to share what orange shirt day meant to them through art.

The Legacy of Hope display was open to the public and shown throughout the college campus from Sept. 30 to Oct 4.

Jeanine Webber, Dean of Justice and Human Services said Lethbridge College is grateful to have elders to learn from.

“We are blessed to have an opportunity to learn and we have an incredible responsibility to use these teachings to make a difference within our communities,” Webber said.

The dean encouraged all Orange Shirt Day participants to try to make a difference, no matter how big or small. She also mentioned a lot of young people are doing great things to better the community so to not be discouraged by your age.

To learn more about residential schools and more information about Orange Shirt day, visit the website at orangeshirtday.org.