The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation can be difficult, challenging, or overwhelming for Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous students in Pathways programs across Canada. As a national youth-serving organization, we want Indigenous students to know we acknowledge this and will continue to listen to their voices and act on what we learn and hear.
A group of Indigenous Pathways students collaborated with Indigenous artists and wrote the song “Every Child Matters”. We encourage you to join Pathways Canada as we watch their video and reflect on the lyrics. Their words are a reminder that we all must continue to listen and learn to the voices of Indigenous young people.
The Orange Shirt has revived us
We’re survivors with deep pride inside of us
Seeking truth that they hide from us
Seek the truth that they hide from us
The Orange Shirt has revived us
We’re survivors with deep pride inside of us
Seeking truth that they hide from us
Seek the truth that they hide from us
It’s because of them we’re here today
Guiding to their footprints that led the way
Spread our stories along the way
Listen up
We’re here for what they have to say
Break their chains
Break our cycles
Let’s make ’em proud
Breaking free
Time to be
The leaders now
They took our children, our babies
Offered no ifs, ands or maybes
The Orange Shirt has revived us
We’re survivors with deep pride inside of us
Seeking truth that they hide from us
Seek the truth that they hide from us
The Orange Shirt has revived us
We’re survivors with deep pride inside of us
Seeking truth that they hide from us
Seek the truth that they hide from us
We finished school
For the people who couldn’t
We showed the systems
Who said that we wouldn’t
Keep our Nations empowered
While steady climbing their ladders
Show the people in power
That Every Child Matters
Keep our Nations empowered
While steady climbing their ladders
Show the people in power
Every Child Matters
The Orange Shirt has revived us
We’re survivors with deep pride inside of us
Seeking truth that they hide from us
Seek the truth that they hide from us
The Orange Shirt has revived us
We’re survivors with deep pride inside of us
Seeking truth that they hide from us
Seek the truth that they hide from us
Keep our Nations empowered
While steady climbing their ladders
Show the people in power
Every Child Matters