Orange T-shirt
Karuna and I were walking through the drizzle on Bloor Street, when it dawned on me that we had to pick up speed in order to meet my drama teaching committee. “Let’s take the subway,” I urged. So we entered at the Ossington entrance. While on the not-so-full train, a native woman, middle-aged, next to me, started to talk. I guess my clothes stood out—a pumpkin type of shade.
“Did you know it’s ‘Orange T-shirt day’?” she informed.
“Well no, I didn’t. Could you tell me about it? I think I’m celebrating. I’m always dressed in orange.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Shirt_Day
She smiled and went on to explain that it’s an annual recognition of the plight of First Nations people who, as children, were forced into horrific residential schools throughout Canada, and the U.S., and how they suffered terribly for it. I expressed that I was well aware of their woes. I was a fan of Buffy Ste. Marie and her music, especially her song, “My Country Tis of Thy People You’re Dying.” It details the unfair deal the native people received at the time in history when the country, as we know it now, was being shaped. https://youtu.be/bTqV1pnQoos
I also mentioned that on a recent flight from Philadelphia, I watched what I could of a feature film—with no headphones—of a young native man who grew up in Shield territory and who was forced into the oppressive school system. I told her I liked it but it got cut short because the plane landed. http://www.indianhorse.ca/en/film/cast
“The boy went on to become a shining hockey star.” The woman beamed with a smile.
Karuna and I then had to exit the subway train.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
No comments:
Post a Comment