Orange Shirt Day at UBC

Every Child Matters

Orange Shirt Day, September 30, is a day to honour and uphold Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of the Indian Residential School system, and to commemorate those who didn’t return home.

What’s On

Featured Events


September 2023

Various dates and times,

follow our social media

for updates

Crafting Drop-Ins
“Every Child Matters” Quilt Project-drop in to the Centre and make a quilt square!

Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre

1985 Learners Walk

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

UBC Vancouver


September 13, 21 and 28, 2023

3pm-5pm

Crafting Drop-Ins
Beading Circle Social-all Indigenous beaders welcome

First Nations House of Learning

1985 West Mall

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2

UBC Vancouver


September 15, 2023

1pm & 6pm, RSVP to join

Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre

1985 Learners’ Walk

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

UBC Vancouver


September 16, 2023

1pm-5pm, 6pm

Public Event
Come Toward the Fire

The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

6265 Crescent Rd

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

UBC Vancouver


September 19, 2023

10:30am-12pm

Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre

1985 Learners’ Walk

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

UBC Vancouver



September 21, 2023

2:30pm

Knowledge Sharing Gathering
qwōlqwel swáyel 

Online OR

Pekw’Xe:yles (St. Mary’s School)

34410 Lougheed Highway

Mission, BC V2V 6B2


September 22, 2023

12:30-1:30pm

Film Screening
NFB Shorts: “Indian Dialogue” and “PowWow at Duck Lake

Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre

1985 Learners Walk

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

UBC Vancouver


September 22 – 27, 2023

Various times, RSVP to join

Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery

1825 Main Mall

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2

UBC Vancouver


September 25-29, 2023

10:30am-11:20am

Online AND at Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre

1985 Learners Walk

UBC Vancouver


September 26, 2023

12:30-2pm

Indigenous Classroom, Room 123

Peter A. Allard School of Law

1822 East Mall

Vancouver, BC

Canada V6T 1Z1 


September 27-30, 2023

Wednesday 10am-
Saturday 5pm

Williams Lake Stampede Grounds

800 Mackenzie Ave

Williams Lake, BC V2G 2V2


September 28, 2023

12 – 1pm

Policy Labs, Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability
2260 West Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 UBC Vancouver


September 28, 2023

12:30 – 3pm

Film Screening
“For Love”

Indian Residential School History & Dialogue Centre
1985 Learners Walk
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 UBC Vancouver


September 28, 2023

2pm – 8pm

Robson Square

800 Robson Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 1A7


September 30, 2023

From Sunrise (7:10 am) to Sunset (6:53 pm) 

xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden
3461 Ross Drive
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 UBC Vancouver


September 30, 2023


Xwi7xwa Library
1985 West Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 UBC Vancouver


September 30, 2023

11:45am -2:30pm

Indian Residential School History & Dialogue Centre
1985 Learners Walk
UBC Vancouver


October 4, 2023

3-4:30pm

Online (Zoom, by RSVP)


October 11, 2023

12:30-2pm

Rooms 5104/5106
Earth Sciences Building (ESB)
2207 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

More Ways to Participate

Orange and white banners on campus were created in collaboration with Musqueam and display the phrase “Every Child Matters” in English and “Every Child Is Important” in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓.

Wellness Resources

Engaging with Indian Residential School histories and legacies can lead to emotional reactions and (unexpectedly) difficult thoughts and feelings. Sometimes these can surface hours, days, or weeks later. This is perfectly normal. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it is important to respect your needs and to be kind to yourself. 

Indian Residential School Survivors Society Toll-Free Line 1 (800) 721-0066

24-Hour National Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419

KUU-US Crisis Line 1 (800) 588-8717

Tsow-Tun-Le Lum 1 (866) 925-4419

Indigenous Wellness Program (604) 675-2551 or 1 (866) 884-0888

Canadian Mental Health Association1 (800) 555-8222

HeretoHelp 1 (800) 661-2121

First Nations Health Authority – Mental Health Benefit

Métis Nation BC – Mental Health Services

Kids Help Phone1 (800) 668-6868

Crisis Services Canada 1 (833) 456-4566 or text 45645

First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 1 (855) 242-3310

Thank you to all of our partners!

Orange Shirt Day at UBC is a collaboration by many individuals, departments, units and faculties at both UBC campuses and within community.

See some highlights from previous Orange Shirt Days.