About this Event
Orange Shirt Day takes place annually on September 30th. It is a day for everyone to honour Survivors of residential schools, remember the children who never returned home, and recognize the ongoing impacts of the residential school system. It is also an opportunity to listen, learn, reflect, and consider the responsibilities we share in walking the path of reconciliation.
Together, we are gathering in advance of September 30th to honour the resilience of Indigenous communities, recognize the ongoing impacts of residential schools and colonialism, and reflect on how we can continue to bring Indigenous knowledge, relationships, and decolonizing practices into our daily lives and community-based work.
This gathering is guided by the knowledge, wisdom, and leadership of members of the Squamish Nation, and made possible through our partnership with the West End Seniors Network, and support from the City of Vancouver.
Our Relationship to Place
Gordon Neighbourhood House serves and works alongside communities living on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Last year, Gordon Neighbourhood House had the honour of working with Squamish carver and artist John Spence, who also uses the ancestral name Setatsen, to unveil two house post at our front entrance. This year’s ceremony will be led by John in collaboration with Squamish elders, speakers, singers, and drummers, who will guide us through a gathering grounded in Squamish knowledge, culture, and tradition.
Approximate Event Timing
11:00am–12:30pm — Outdoor Ceremony
Open to everyone. Registration is appreciated to help us plan for attendance. The ceremony will take place rain or shine in the plaza in front of Gordon Neighbourhood House at 1019 Broughton Street, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
12:30pm–2:00pm — Community Feast
Registration is required for lunch due to limited seating capacity.
The event represents an ongoing effort to increase the visibility of Indigenous culture and knowledge at Gordon Neighbourhood House. This work is also part of the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC (ANHBC) Strategic Transformation Framework and reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation, decolonization, and building neighbourhood houses that are welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to community.
Event venue & nearby stays
Gordon Neighbourhood House, 1019 Broughton Street, Vancouver, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.