Gibson is committed to establishing, maintaining and strengthening mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous Peoples in Canada and their respective leadership and communities built on trust, respect and reconciliation. Building a solid foundation of cultural and historical awareness within our company and among our employees will enable us to continue prioritizing Indigenous relations. Gibson is also prou d to support community initiatives in the spirit of reconciliation.
Orange Shirt Day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. On her first day of attending St. Joseph’s Mission residential school in Williams Lake, BC, she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt gifted from her grandmother. The shirt was immediately stripped from her upon her arrival, and she was then forced to wear a school uniform and never saw the orange shirt again. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
Gibson’s first Orange Shirt Day took place in 2021 and garnered overwhelming support. One of our employees ran for 24 hours to raise more than $20,000 for the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation. We contributed to Reconciliation by supporting Indigenous-focused organizations and programs such as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation; the Treaty 7 Elder Capacity Camp and Cultural Celebration hosted by Alberta Recreation & Parks Association; and the Iiyika’kimaat Program, a program for Indigenous youth run by Calgary’s Trellis Society.
To learn more about Orange Shirt Day head to www.orangeshirtday.org
