Over the years, Orange Shirt Day has been unofficially celebrated across Canada to commemorate the destruction caused by boarding schools. Boarding schools are federally funded institutions governed by religious orders and many aboriginal children are forced to participate in accordance with the law. Many children in school face physical and sexual abuse and are forced to leave their culture and language.

People show their unity by wearing orange shirts or putting orange cloth on their shirts.

From September 30 this year, Orange Shirt Day will become the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. New federal statutory holidays The project was completed in early June after the remains of approximately 215 children were found on the site of the former Kamloops Indian boarding school in BC

But last fall, Gilles Grégoire, a senior officer of the armed forces and the first-level non-commissioned officer, issued an order prohibiting members from expressing support for the boarding school anniversary.

Gregoire was appointed Chief Warrant Officer of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF CWO) in September 2020. This is one of the most important positions in the Canadian Army and is responsible for overseeing the discipline of all non-commissioned officers.

On the afternoon before Orange Shirt Day 2020, emails were sent across Canada to remind leaders to tell their subordinates not to wear orange uniforms.

The subject of the forwarded e-mail obtained through the access information legislation is “Orange T-shirt Day is not approved”, and part of the content is “Wearing an orange T-shirt or square cloth on a uniform is Is not Approved on September 30. “

The military encourages “appropriate” demonstrations of solidarity

The military declined an interview request for Grégoire. A spokesperson said in a statement that these regulations prohibit “clothing or accessories that are not approved military uniforms.”

The statement said: “We encourage our members to participate in the commemorative activities and expand and demonstrate their unity in an appropriate way.”

Queen’s Regulations and Orders, The rules governing the armed forces prohibit unauthorized uniform accessories, but allow senior military officials to override the rules.

The rule states: “The Chief of Defense Staff may authorize specific accessories for optional wear.”

Former infantry soldier Master Cpl. Tim O’Loan said that he thinks it is important to allow members to wear orange shirts, squares or ribbons on their uniforms to work because they spend most of the day there.

“I assure you that some people want to support Orange Shirt Day in a quiet and respectful way, but it is suppressed,” he said. “I bet there is no doubt that they will be disappointed by it.”

O’Loan is a member of the Dene Nation and joined Princess Patricia’s Canadian light infantry unit in Alberta at the age of 17. He served for 10 years before leaving, partly because of the racism he faced at work.

“a lot of [Indigenous people] Joined because it is their commitment to a treaty signed with the authorities,” he said from his home in Ottawa.

“Officially, disrespect and respect for the participation of indigenous people is a slap in the face.”

The armed forces have a connection with the boarding school

As of 2019, more than 2,700 soldiers, sailors and pilots Have self-identified as indigenous, According to the Ministry of Defense. O’Lorne said he suspects that many people are descendants of survivors or have gone to school on their own.

“Sadly, the influence of boarding schools has fallen on the shoulders of many service staff,” he said.

The Canadian Armed Forces also has a long history in boarding schools.

This The Truth and Reconciliation Commission found Some schools were built in unsafe former military facilities. In one case, a federal agent warned that “if there is a fire in a building, it is likely to cause a large number of casualties.”

The military’s school-based student program is considered a training ground for future recruits. In one school, the committee identified two staff members who supervised and harassed students.

The committee also highlighted how in 1956, a trainee coach crashed a van carrying 28 students “under the influence of alcohol and speeding undoubtedly.”

“A terrible thing happened,” said O’Lorne, who served as an adviser to the committee.

James Dempsey, associate professor of aboriginal studies at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, is one of the few people who has studied Aboriginal military history in Western Canada. He said that the military has a long and complicated relationship with the indigenous people and failed to recognize its role in the damage caused in various situations.

“The military is an extremely slow-moving institution,” said Dempsey, a member of the blood tribe in southern Alberta. “Why? Because they believe they did it right.”

Dempsey said that his experience on the board of directors of the Royal Military Academy in Kingston, Ontario made him suspect that orange clothing is prohibited due to the bureaucracy of changing uniform rules.

“It won’t happen to change this situation in a relatively instant. It has to go through too many committees,” he said.

Bell Let’s Talk allows hats and masks

For another public event: Bell, let’s talk about Japan, the military made at least one exception to its strict uniform regulations.

Telecom sponsored this day to raise mental health awareness, and part of the funds raised will be used to support plans for veterans and their families.

Photos on official social media accounts show sailors and soldiers in uniforms wearing Bell Let’s Talk tuques and, in at least one case, blue Bell masks.

Dempsey said that he wanted to explain why the military cannot make similar exceptions for indigenous members.

The founder of Orange Shirt Day provides solutions

Phyllis Webstad, Boarding school survivors starting Orange Shirt Day, Said she can provide solutions for the military.

She said that she has helped other institutions with strict uniform regulations, including law enforcement agencies, to find solutions that allow their members to participate. She pointed out that one agency dyed its work shirt orange, while another agency was developing a standardized enamel pin for officers to wear.

“Military leaders may lack information,” Webstad said. “The shutters are closed, they have no choice but to accept it.”

O’Loan, now a member of the Federal Veterans Ombudsman Advisory Committee, said that it is time for the armed forces to take steps to address the racism that members continue to face in the military.

First, he said that he hopes to allow members to wear orange on their uniforms in September this year.

“The conversation is happening,” O’Lorne said. “I just think the army needs to work hard to catch up with the rest of society.”

Anyone affected by the lingering influence of boarding schools and those affected by the latest report can get support.

A nationwide Indian boarding school crisis hotline has been established to provide support to former students and those affected. People can call the 24-hour national crisis hotline: 1-866-925-4419 for emotional and crisis referral services.

Do you have more information about this story? Contact Rachel Ward [email protected].