Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, known as Orange Shirt Day, to honor the children who were lost and survived residential schools. As of this year in Canada, it’s a federally observed holiday.  Residential schools were a cultural genocide on Natives, many did not live to tell the tales of physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse suffered at these schools that were often federally funded and run by religious organizations. In the US, the first school for colonizing, "educating," Natives was created in 1634, forming a legacy lasting until 2007, though some remain under Native control. Residential schools rose to horrifying numbers in the 19th and 20th centuries. Children were stolen from their families, forced to leave their culture, language, and heritage behind to assimilate into "American" society. The saying, "Kill the Indian, Save the Man" became a popular and lasting argument for Native genocide after Richard Henry Pratt coined the motto in an 1892 speech. In Canada more than 150,000 Native children were forced into residential schools between 1870 and 1997; many never returned. 6,509 children’s remains have been discovered, but that number continues to rise as more unmarked graves are found. The US hasn’t made a similar commitment to truth and reconciliation, so the extent is unknown, but the numbers are more appalling. Today is a day to remember those children lost and surviving, their families and communities. Today is a day for learning, growing, healing. I wanted to write a blog post, but I am so overcome with grief from research that I couldn't bring myself to do so. I’m sharing this brief post to support, honor, and remember. I wear orange for Phyllis Webstad and the orange shirt was stolen from her at a residential school. http://liketk.it/3oNLv @liketoknow.it #liketkit