Help your French Immersion and Core French students learn about Orange Shirt Day, residential schools, Truth and Reconciliation, and the story of Phyllis Webstad through an engaging, student-friendly French Google Slides lesson.
This resource introduces students to the significance of September 30, the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada, and the importance of listening, learning, remembering, respecting Indigenous voices, and working toward reconciliation. September 30 is both Orange Shirt Day and Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The lesson uses accessible French, visual supports, questions, discussion prompts, reflection activities, and a quiz to help students build both French language skills and cultural understanding.
⭐ What's Included?
This interactive French resource includes:
🧡 Introduction to Orange Shirt Day
📅 Why September 30 is an important date
🏫 Introduction to residential schools
👧 The story of Phyllis Webstad
👕 Why the orange shirt became an important symbol
🌿 Introduction to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
💭 See–Think–Wonder activity
❓ Comprehension and discussion questions
📝 Interactive quiz
💬 Partner discussion activities
🤔 Personal reflection prompts
📚 Important vocabulary
❤️ Activities focusing on identity, family, language, culture and community
🤝 Introduction to Truth and Reconciliation
🌎 Reflection on how students can contribute to a more respectful world
🧡 Students will learn about:
Orange Shirt Day
Students discover why people wear orange shirts on September 30 and learn about the story behind the symbol. The Orange Shirt Society describes the movement as Indigenous-led and Survivor-founded.
Residential Schools
Students are introduced to the history of the residential school system and its impact on Indigenous children, families and communities.
Phyllis Webstad
Students learn about Phyllis Webstad's experience and the story of the orange shirt that inspired Orange Shirt Day.
Truth & Reconciliation
Students explore age-appropriate concepts related to truth, respect, listening, learning, responsibility and reconciliation.
🗣️ Perfect for:
✔ French Immersion
✔ Core French
✔ FSL / French as a Second Language
✔ Canadian classrooms
✔ September 30 lessons
✔ Orange Shirt Day activities
✔ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
✔ Indigenous History / Indigenous Education
✔ Social Studies in French
✔ Cultural learning activities
💡 Language & Communication Skills
Students have opportunities to:
learn and use new French vocabulary
answer comprehension questions
express ideas and opinions
make connections with their own lives
discuss ideas with a partner
reflect on important concepts
communicate using sentence starters
This makes the resource useful not only for Social Studies / Indigenous Education, but also for French language development.
