On Thursday, October 1, Huu-ay-aht First Nations honoured the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, at the House of Huu-ay-aht in Anacla.
An estimated 120 people came together, including residential school survivors, Huu-ay-aht citizens, the Bamfield community and students from Bamfield Community School, as well as families who travelled from Port Alberni, Nanaimo and even Vancouver. Attendees arrived dressed in orange in support of the day.
At the entrance of the House of Huu-ay-aht, participants received flower seeds, orange pins, t-shirt stickers as reminders to carry the spirit of the day with them and reflect on its meaning throughout the year.
The gathering opened with a moment of silence to honour the community’s recent loss, as well as the children who never returned home from residential school. A cultural song followed, and blankets were presented to families who had recently lost loved ones, and to survivor speaker Ben Clappis in appreciation.
Photos of residential school survivors were displayed throughout the gathering, and Ben Clappis shared his personal story, helping attendees reflect on the lasting impacts of the residential school system. A community lunch followed, prepared by The Bamfield Pub, a Bamfield local business. After lunch, custom-made orange T-shirt cupcakes, provided by Mountain View Bakery, a Port Alberni local business, were shared. Ben Clappis spoke about the meaning of birthdays, explaining that at residential school, children were not able to celebrate their own birthdays, and only one large cake was shared among everyone. Participants sang “Happy Birthday” together in honour of survivors and the children who never had the chance to celebrate.
The gathering closed with the Orange Garden for Truth and Reconciliation project near the memorial bench outside the House of Huu-ay-aht. A planter box was painted orange in advance by children from Paawats Daycare, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations childcare centre. Community members and children helped plant and water the flowers. The project recognized the 2026 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and created a meaningful space for remembrance, reflection and healing. It was made possible with funding from the Government of Canada.
Every Child Matters. Today and every day, Huu-ay-aht remembers.
