Gonzaga University Held Litany for Boarding School Victims
The event honored residential school survivors and those who never returned home.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Native American
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Gonzaga University hosted a somber litany on September 30 to honor the victims of the residential school system. Participants wore orange to commemorate the experience of Phyllis Webstad and to acknowledge the historical trauma caused by these institutions.
Why it matters
The ceremony serves as a public recognition of systemic issues and the history of Catholic Indian Boarding Schools. September 30 was chosen as it historically marks the time children were forcibly removed from their communities to attend these schools.
A 46-page commission report, established in April 2019, outlines the systemic issues inherent in the residential school system. Today, there are approximately 80,000 residential school survivors still alive to share their stories.
The players
Gonzaga University
A private Catholic university located in Spokane that facilitated this remembrance event.
Thayne McCullough
He is the university president who founded the commission that authored the 46-page report on residential school issues.
Phyllis Webstad
A residential school survivor whose personal experience of being stripped of her orange shirt at age six inspired the commemorative color.
The details
The event was organized by the university's Office of Tribal Relations and University Ministry, following recommendations from a commission founded by Thayne McCullough. During the gathering, attendees participated in prayers, readings, and periods of silence to reflect on the 150,000 children who were historically forced into the school system.
Timeline
April 2019: A commission was founded by Thayne McCullough to investigate systemic issues.
September 30: This date historically marks when children were removed from their homes.
September 30, 2026: Gonzaga University hosted the litany of remembrance.
Culture Shift
This event reflects a growing societal commitment to acknowledging the historical trauma caused by the residential school system. It marks a departure from historical silence, positioning the institution toward transparency and reconciliation with affected tribal communities.
Residents in the Spokane area are encouraged to engage with this history through ongoing educational initiatives and institutional reports. Adopting the practice of wearing orange on significant dates serves as a personal commitment to recognizing survivor experiences.
The takeaway
Recognizing the history of residential schools requires active participation in community memorials and an understanding of the systemic policies that impacted thousands of children. Residents can honor this legacy by supporting local tribal relations programs and educational outreach efforts.
Further reading
Learn more about local tribal history and advocacy at Native American.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Gonzaga Bulletin.
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