B.C. Transit marks Truth and Reconciliation Day with orange ribbons

B.C. Transit is partnering with local governments to mark Truth and Reconciliation Day on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

It said orange ribbons will be displayed on bus mirrors in Victoria and some other communities to honour Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools and their families. B.C. Transit said some drivers and operators have the option to wear orange shirts to show their support.

“BC Transit recognizes there is much work to be done to understand the Truth of our shared history and advancing Reconciliation,” the provincial Crown corporation said in a statement. “The organization continues to collaborate with Indigenous communities and partners on initiatives that improve and expand transit services in several Indigenous communities across B.C., helping to strengthen those regions.”

It said service will vary in each region during the holiday, and residents can check transit schedules on the B.C. Transit website. 

Orange Shirt Day came out of events held in Williams Lake, B.C. in May 2013. Phyllis Webstad shared her story of how her new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her on her first day at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School.

The Orange Shirt Society says Sept. 30th was chosen as a day to reflect on the legacy of residential schools because it is the time of year in which Indigenous children were taken from their homes to attend the schools. 

Canada passed Bill C-5 in 2021 to make Sept. 30th a federal statutory holiday.  

In 2023, B.C. joined other provinces making Sept. 30 a statutory public holiday, making it a paid day off for eligible workers.

The B.C. government has a list of various Truth and Reconciliation events being held across B.C. on its website.