The Loss of My Orange Shirt

I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6.

I lived with my granny on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money,

but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school.

I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced

up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!

When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes,

including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand

why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The color orange