Orange Shirt Day Principal's Message for Class 6-8
A Principal's Message for Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation for Class 6-8 students in Canada.
- Essay lengths
- 100w · 150w · 250w · 500w · 1000w
- Speech lengths
- 1min · 2min · 5min
- Languages
- English, any Indian language on the stage
- Occasion
- Orange Shirt Day
Your runs against the clock
Pick a speech length on the stage, press Start next to the clock, and say the whole thing out loud. Green means within a fifth of the target. Amber means you rushed or dragged. Your last five runs stay on this device.
No runs yet. Scroll up, pick a speech length, press Start.
Openings and closings you can swap in
Examiners and judges hear the same first line all day. Pick a different opening or closing and it slides into the text on stage. The original is one tap away.
Ways to open
Good morning, students and staff. Today, as we wear orange together, we honor Indigenous children and reflect on the true history of our land.
Welcome, everyone. We begin today by acknowledging that our school stands on traditional Indigenous territory as we gather for Orange Shirt Day.
Good morning. When you look around our hallways today, you see a sea of orange, reminding us of a vital promise: Every Child Matters.
Ways to close
Let us wear our orange shirts not just as a fabric for today, but as a promise for every day that follows.
May today be one step in a lifelong journey of learning, listening, and walking together toward real reconciliation.
Thank you for your thoughtful participation today. Remember that bringing about change starts with understanding our history.
The points that must land
Words worth practising
Restoring friendly relations and addressing past wrongs to build a respectful future.
The process of forcing a group to adopt the culture and habits of another group.
To recall and show respect for someone or something in a public way.
The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and hold onto strength.
Stagecraft checklist
Why this topic matters
Preparing a message or speech for Orange Shirt Day requires care, sensitivity, and respect for history. As a school leader or student representative, speaking on September 30th gives you the opportunity to honor residential school survivors and bring your school community together around truth and healing. This collection provides carefully crafted versions tailored for middle school assemblies, ranging from short announcements to longer addresses.
You can use these options to find the exact length and tone needed for your assembly. Read through the different lengths to pick the version that fits your schedule best. Use the key points and vocabulary section to help guide discussions in your classroom or student council. Every option emphasizes active listening, learning, and the meaningful core message that Every Child Matters.
About this piece
- Orange Shirt Day, also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is observed annually on September 30th in Canada.
- The day honors Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools and recognizes the ongoing impact on communities.
- The movement originated from the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at residential school in 1973.
- The orange shirt symbolizes the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children in residential schools.
- The slogan Every Child Matters extends to all children: past, present, and future.
- Over 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children attended residential schools between the 1830s and 1996.
- September 30th was chosen because autumn was historically the time of year when Indigenous children were removed from their homes.
How it is done
- In Canada, people wear orange shirts to honor survivors and raise awareness. Schools host assemblies, feature guest speakers or Elders, and engage students in reflective activities to promote understanding and reconciliation.
- In the United States, communities observe Orange Shirt Day to honor survivors of federal Indian boarding schools, share stories, wear orange, and encourage public education on boarding school history.
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