Nunavut Arctic College commemorates Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation are observed annually on September 30th, in recognition of the lasting inter-generational impacts of the Canadian Residential School system and the ongoing healing of victims and their families. The orange shirt honours Phyllis Webstad’s story of her first day of school when her brand-new orange shirt was stripped from her and never seen again. Today, we wear orange to represent the loss of language, culture, and identity taken from Phyllis and so many other Indigenous children by the Residential School system. Orange Shirt Day - Orange Shirt Society National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Canada.ca

On September 29, 2026, Nunavut Arctic College commemorated the day by holding a country food feast for local Elders prepared by staff and student volunteers at the Nunatta Campus in Iqaluit. A reflection wall was also set up to encourage students to reflect and share their thoughts on truth and reconciliation.

In Rankin Inlet, at the Kivalliq Campus staff and students congregated for a feast, and to learn from Elders, Martha Kanayok and Simeonie Ammaq, as they spoke about tuberculosis as part of the Inuit experience.

Nunavut Arctic College was honoured to host our Elders and listen to their stories today.

Media Contact:

Kara Hoang

Manager, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment

Nunavut Arctic College

867-979-7318

kara.hoang@arcticcollege.ca