Governor Stein Proclaims Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, September 30 is recognized as a Day of Recognition and Reconciliation for Indian Boarding Schools in the United States, and it is recognized internationally as Orange Shirt Day; and 

Whereas, Orange Shirt Day is a day of remembrance and reflection honoring the children who were taken from their families and placed in boarding schools; these schools, including those here in North Carolina, sought to strip Native children of their culture, language, and identity; and 

Whereas, North Carolina has its own boarding school history; the Cherokee Industrial School, established in the late 19th century, operated on the Qualla Boundary with the purpose of assimilating Cherokee children; and 

Whereas, in addition, institutions connected to Trinity College in Durham (now Duke University) participated in housing and educating Native children within the broader federal and missionary boarding school system; and 

Whereas, these efforts, while framed at the time as educational opportunities, were in fact part of a nationwide policy of forced assimilation that caused generational trauma and profound cultural loss for Indigenous peoples; and

Whereas, the Orange Shirt Day Walk is to honor survivors, remember those who never returned home, and strengthen the path toward healing and reconciliation;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 30, 2026, as “Orange Shirt Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.