By Hillary Cagey, Puyallup Tribal News
The Puyallup Tribe Children of the River Child Advocacy Center hosted the fifth annual Orange Shirt Day at the Spirit House Monday, Sept. 30 to honor Indigenous children who attended residential boarding schools across the United States and Canada.
The event brought together community members to remember the past, acknowledge the pain and celebrate the resilience of Indigenous people.
Orange shirts were distributed to attendees, symbolizing the remembrance of the children who were taken from their families and placed into residential schools. Descendants of survivors shared stories of their parents and grandparents who endured the harsh realities of the institutions.
They spoke candidly about the deep intergenerational trauma that has affected their families, emphasizing the long-lasting impact of these experiences.
Despite the heavy and emotional nature of the stories shared, the event was also a testament to the strength of Indigenous communities.
Speakers highlighted the importance of breaking generational cycles of trauma and reclaiming their cultural heritage.
“I’m grateful to be able to understand this dynamic, and seeing the disconnect between our families, and I’m able to heal that moving forward for my six children and my 10 grandchildren,” said Community Domestic Violence Advocacy Program Anti-Trafficking Advocate Carmelita Escarcega.
Orange Shirt Day was a day of reflection, healing, and hope, reinforcing the community’s commitment to honoring ancestors and bringing a brighter future for generations to come.
