Fresno Unified School District
Every Child Matters
By wearing an orange shirt on September 30th, you commit to the enduring truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS, every day and everywhere. Learn more about the story of why we wear orange at orangeshirtday.org.
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) is the first and only national organization whose purpose is to advocate on behalf of Native peoples impacted by U.S. Indian boarding school policies. They seek truth through education and research, justice through activism and policy advocacy, and healing through programs and traditional gatherings. Learn more about the healing work they do and subscribe to their newsletter to stay informed at boardingschoolhealing.org.
In June 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, a comprehensive effort to recognize the troubled legacy of federal Indian boarding school policies with the goal of addressing their intergenerational impact and to shed light on the traumas of the past. For more information regarding the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, visit bia.gov/service/federal-indian-boarding-school-initiative.
Support the healing work by having your contributions go towards Native organizations and funding their sacred work. Wearing orange is a way to honor survivors, uplift community healing, and show your commitment to truth, justice, and healing.
Curriculum, material, and resources can be found on our site for Seeds of Knowledge: Resources for Teaching Native Content.
Orange Shirt Day 2025-26
On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Fresno Unified School District gathered to honor the National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools. During this time we had Rena Picaso (Choinumni Tribe East of the Kings River) open our event by sharing traditional songs. We also had community partners in support: Fresno City College Resources for American Indian Needs Program (RAIN), Fresno City College Native American Intertribal Student Association (NAISA), Fresno American Indian Health Project (FAIHP), and Fresno State Neum Native American Student Association (NASA).
Orange Shirt Day 2024-25
On Monday, September 30, 2024, the district commemorated the life-changing and disastrous effects of the U.S. Indian boarding school policy and Indian Residential school system on Native American peoples and communities across the United States and Canada by standing with our Native Communities as allies in the process of truth and reconciliation. School sites across the district, departments, and district offices commemorated the event by wearing the symbolic orange t-shirt and holding educational activities and programs.
Orange Shirt Day 2023-24
Orange Shirt Day is observed on September 30th to acknowledge and reconcile the negative impacts that the Indian boarding school policy and Indian Residential school system had on Indigenous communities. Fresno Unified staff and students showed support for our Native American communities by wearing orange shirts and taking part in activities and lessons on the day.
Orange Shirt Day 2022-23
Orange Shirt Day was observed for the first time by Fresno Unified School District on Friday, September 30, 2022. Staff from the District Office met outside the Education Center for a group photo, followed by activities and a chance to view books on the topic of Orange Shirt Day.
