SUIMA IS choosing to use Friday September 29, 2023 as a day of Honor and Remembrance to include students and staff of the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy and Southern Ute Indian Tribe. The National Day is officially Saturday September 30, 2023.

Here In the United States, we have also had our share of our own Ute Children. who faced Boarding School Existence. Some of the first Utes to be in boarding school died from illnesses and unknown causes.

There is a history of separating Ute and other Indigenous families and communities and forcing children to assimilate into white European culture around the turn of the 20th century.

Some of the first Utes to be in boarding school died from illnesses and unknown causes.

Below is a description of how Orange Shirt Day became a day that is recognized amongst Canadian and the United States.

“Why an Orange Shirt? Former residential school student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad has shared her story of her first day at residential school when her new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year old girl. This act left Phyllis feeling invisible and worthless and affected the way she lived for much of her life.

September 30th is annually recognized as Orange Shirt Day, highlighting the damage the residential school system did to the well-being of Indigenous children. Equally, it serves as a healing journey for the survivors and a commitment by all who wear an orange shirt, that every child matters.

Chief Fred Robbins , a former student of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, BC started Orange Shirt Day to ensure that residential school survivors are not forgotten. Through his vision, Chief Robbins brought together First Nations, Tribal Councils, local government leaders, school districts, and former students to remember, recover and reconcile. Chief Robbins was recognized as a BC Achievement Community Awardee in 2017, for giving voice and hope to reconciliation in BC.

Orange Shirt Day can be hard for those who survived residential schools and their families. Over 150,000 Indigenous children attended residential schools in Canada from the late 1800’s until the last one closed in the 1990’s and of those attending, it’s estimated that over 5,000 died while under residential school care. Many survivors are still dealing with the trauma of abuse experienced at these schools, and the impact it’s had not just on them, but on their families as well.

Now is the time to listen to the stories of survivors and their families and learn from them, so that these mistakes are not repeated. It is a time for conversations about understanding the survivors’ truths and beginning the journey toward reconciliation. Now is the time for an exploration of opportunities to do better for generations of children to come.

Join the movement and remember to wear your orange shirt.

For more information go to OrangeShirtDay.org or contact Ms. Daisy Bluestar, SUIMA Curriculum Specialist at (970) 563-2710.

Participate virtually, post pictures, share your story #OrangeShirtDay (opens in new tab) #EveryChildMatters”