Seeing red over orange residential school denialist T-shirts

A controversial political and social commentary website’s decision to market orange T-shirts questioning the harmful legacy of Residential Schools is an example of how reconciliation cannot happen without truth, say critics.

In late August, the far-right Rebel News announced it was selling clothing with terms such as: Still no proof; You can’t handle the truth; Buried Truth; Dig Deeper; as well as Canada was built not stolen.

“Just in time for National Truth and Reconciliation Day,” boasted the opinion outlet’s BC Bureau Chief Drea Humphrey, explaining the stunt as a call for Canadians to “look beyond the headlines.”

She continued: “Demand evidence when band governments, mainstream media journalists and even fearful leaders make extraordinary and unfounded unmarked grave claims that bring shame to our nation and help shift policy.”

Nunavut Liberal MP Lori Idlout on Friday rose in the House of Commons and said residential school denialism is on the rise, “which harms survivors and their families and communities,” and allows “systemic racism to persist.”

She continued: “It tries to hide that indigenous children were killed and buried at residential schools. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation helps keep this truth at the forefront.”

She asked Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty to explain what the Liberal government is doing to ensure that Canadians understand the continued impacts of trauma inflicted on indigenous people.

Alty, who is the NWT’s MP, reminded the House of a $5 million national public education effort, announced in Budget 2024, whose partnerships and delivery mechanisms are still being finalized.

“For generations, survivors and Indigenous communities have spoken about their experiences in Residential Schools and the impact these institutions had on children, families, and communities,” Alty stated.

Alty released a statement on Friday: “Residential schools denialism compounds the harms experienced by survivors, families, communities, and Indigenous Peoples across Canada. It spreads false information by denying or casting doubt on the history of residential schools and the lasting harm they caused.

“Together, we can build a future where the truths of survivors are respected, where Canadians have access to accurate information, and where reconciliation is strengthened through knowledge, understanding, and dialogue. Truth matters. And preserving it is a responsibility we all share.”

Earlier this month, the Indigenous Liberal Caucus stated it was, “appalled by the residential school denialism campaign being pushed online.”

It continued: “To sell merchandise that mocks survivors’ experiences and dismisses their truths is reprehensible and beneath any organization. To fund raise off the suffering of children who never returned home while using children’s clothing to advance denialism is beneath the morality of Canadians.”

The caucus wrote that some things that must remain “beyond politics and beyond profit,” and that Orange Shirt Day exists because survivors had the courage to speak the truth about what happened to them.

Earlier this year, Canada’s Senate, for a variety of reasons, voted down an amendment to Bill C-9 that would have criminalized residential school denialism.

When Phyllis Webstad was six-years-old, she wore the orange shirt gifted by her grandmother on her first day at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in British Columbia.

When she arrived, school officials stripped her, took away her clothes, including the orange shirt, and never gave it back.

The colour orange came to symbolize how the children’s feelings did not matter, overridden by the desire to strip away Indigenous culture and identity.

Thirteen years ago, Webstad founded Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30 — also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — to honour Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools.

CBC reported Webstad supports the idea that residential school denialism should be added as hate speech to Canada’s Criminal Code.

An emotional Webstad told CBC from Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc in BC: ”I believe what Rebel News is doing right now is what is needed to convince our Canadian government that yes, a law needs to be passed.”

On Wednesday, events are taking place across the NWT to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

It is a official statutory holiday in British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon.

A national 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available at 1-866-925-4419 for emotional and crisis referral services for survivors and those affected. 

Mental health counselling and crisis support are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat.

Some of the many Orange Shirt/National Truth and Reconciliation Day events happening across the NWT on Wednesday: