Orange Shirt Day Events
These events are part of a semester-long series to bring awareness to the legacy of colonization across Turtle Island, the necessity of institutional decolonization, as well as Indigenous resurgence and joy.
On Campus Activities
The College has a wide range of activities planned in the days leading up to September 30. The entire community is encouraged to participate, engage and learn more about the Indigenous peoples of Canada, the legacy of colonization and the steps still needed towards reconciliation across our country and within the Dawson community.
Beginning on Monday, September 21, Dawson’s floodlights on De Maisonneuve will cast an orange light to honour children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
Indigenous Perspectives: The Iroquois Great Law of Peace
Delivered by Tiio Hemlock.
Learn how five warring nations in ancient America came to become allies and developed the first true democracy in human history.
Sept 16th 10am-11:30am
Sept 17th 2pm-3:30pm
Indigenous Perspectives: Truth and Reconciliation from a Kahnawake Mohawk’s perspective
Delivered by Tiio Hemlock.
Sept 30th 10am-11:30am
Oct 1st 2pm-3:30pm
Indigenous Perspectives: Documentary series and discussion.
Native America: Explore the Americas before Columbus
Delivered by Tiio Hemlock.
Sept 24th 10am-12pm
Lecture and Walking Tour Inspired by work around the Truth and Reconciliation 94 Calls to Action
This activity is part of the Dawson Well-Being for All Initiative (release available for Support Staff, Professionals, and Managers). Open to students as well.
Led by Ben Lander (Faculty, Dept. of History & Coordinator of the Decolonization and Indigenization Studies Certificate)
This lecture and walking tour are inspired by work around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, and other requests by First Nations communities and Indigenous organizations for settlers and society to face the truth of their history. This presentation will discuss the colonial history of the land that Dawson College sits on. It will focus on the individuals, organizations, and related processes that led to the dispossession of the island of Montreal from its original inhabitants, as well as some of the earliest forms of residential schools which exist just down the street from our college.
Two session options:
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 12 to 2 PM
Meet in 7C.5 (Rose Lounge)
or
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 2 to 4 PM
Meet in 7C.5 (Rose Lounge)
Purchase your Orange Shirt in the Upper Atrium
The Campus Life Office will set up in the Upper Atrium selling Orange t-shirts to the community. The t-shirts will feature the artwork entitled “Remember Me” by Shayla Chloë Oroho:te Etienne, a student in Visual Arts at Dawson. Proceeds will go to the Dawson First Peoples’ Centre to support their programming and services for students who visit the FPC.
National Film Board short films by Indigenous Creators in 3C.1
A collection of short films selected by Cinema-Communications faculty member Dipti Gupta will be shown on rotation in 3C.1 and Upper Atrium from September 21 to 30, 2026. Stop by for lunch and learn something new!
Showcasing Artwork by Indigenous Students by Warren G. Flowers Gallery
The Warren G. Flowers Gallery showcase space facing the cafeteria will feature works by Indigenous students at Dawson.
Dawson Library
Stop by the library (5C.1) during the month of September to browse their book display for Orange Shirt Day. Selections include fiction, reports, monographs, graphic novels, and memoirs on the topic of residential schools in Canada. Access the library’s Dawson Orange Shirt Day book list for fiction and non-fiction book suggestions. You can also find additional sources in the First Peoples research guide.
The library will be handing out Orange Shirt Day bookmarks and has put together a custom book display on the second floor of the library featuring:
- All seven volumes of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation report
- A mix of fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, and memoirs about residential schools
- Check out their custom book lists from the Dawson collection, which are active and available year-round!
Questions? Email us at Ask a Librarian, or Book a Librarian at your convenience.
Dawson College Library, 5C.1
Mon – Thurs: 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on weekends
Off-Campus Activity
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 1 to 4 PM: Every Child Matters March
Organized by The Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal
Visit the The Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal website for more details.
Why Wear Orange?
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day are on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.” The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
On September 29-30, 2025, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
To find out more, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
