Phyllis Webstad

Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The inspiration for the Canadian public holiday National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, originally called Orange Shirt Day, came from Webstad, who shared her story at a St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion event held in Williams Lake, British Columbia, in April 2013. Webstad recounted her first day of residential schooling at six years old, when she was stripped of her clothes, including the new orange shirt her grandmother bought her, which was never returned. The orange shirt represents the efforts made by the residential school system to deny children their Indigenous identity. It is held annually on September 30 as a national day of remembrance in Canadian communities, where people are encouraged to wear an orange shirt. It was elevated to a statutory holiday for federal employees by the Canadian government in 2021.

Orange Shirt Day exists as a legacy of the SJM Project, and September 30 signifies the time of year when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes to residential schools. The official tagline of the day is "Every Child Matters". Canadian school boards have begun to use this event to teach children about the historic system.

Career Phyllis Webstad's journey as an activist and public speaker began in April 2013 when she shared her residential school story at the St. Joseph's Mission Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion event in Williams Lake. This marked the first time she had publicly recounted her experience, including the story of her orange shirt. The day, observed annually on September 30th, aims to educate people about the impact of residential schools and honour the experiences of Indigenous children. The date was chosen as it coincides with the time of year when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes to residential schools. Orange Shirt Day has since become a significant movement in Canada.

In 2021, the Canadian government elevated Orange Shirt Day to a statutory holiday, establishing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The society operates with minimal staff, with Webstad at the helm and one part-time employee assisting with administration. The Orange Shirt Society offers programs that "teach the importance of respect and community." Webstad often gives presentations and facilitates workshops. Webstad also participates in the Orange Jersey Project, an initiative of the Orange Shirt Society led by her son. The initiative, which is a collaboration with the Western Hockey League, aims to educate young people about Indigenous history and the value of reconciliation through sports.

Awards In 2017, Webstad received the Community Impact Award from Thompson Rivers University and was recognized as a distinguished alumni.

In December 2021, she won the 2021 Doris Anderson Woman of the Year award. This award is given to Canadians for their exceptional deeds accomplished that bring honour to Canada.

Education In the early 2000s, Webstad enrolled at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) in Merritt, British Columbia. NVIT is British Columbia's Indigenous public post-secondary institution, offering programs that are relevant to Indigenous learners and communities. At NVIT, Webstad earned a diploma in business administration. Webstad continued her education at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, British Columbia. At TRU, she pursued and obtained a diploma in accounting.

On October 6, 2023, Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, British Columbia, awarded Webstad an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree. The conferral of this honorary degree took place during SFU's fall convocation ceremony.

Personal life Early life Webstad was born on July 13, 1967, on the Dog Creek Reserve,

On September 30, 1973, at the age of six, Webstad was sent to St. Joseph's Mission Residential School, located just outside Williams Lake. Before leaving, Webstad's grandmother took her shopping for new clothes. Webstad chose a shiny orange shirt, which symbolized her excitement about school. On her first day, upon arrival, school authorities stripped Webstad of her clothes, including the new orange shirt, which was never returned. This traumatic experience would later become the inspiration for Orange Shirt Day.

Webstad spent one year at St. Joseph's Mission, where she was bussed to a different school in Williams Lake for classes during the day and returned to the residential school at night. During her time at the school, Webstad had minimal contact with her family, as was common in the residential school system. The residential school system aimed to assimilate Indigenous children, often forbidding them from speaking their native languages or practicing their cultural traditions.

Webstad had her son while she was 13 years old.

Adulthood Phyllis Webstad is married and resides in Williams Lake. She has one biological son as well as a step-son. Webstad is also a grandmother to five grandchildren. Her eldest grandson has received certification to become a paramedic, an achievement she has publicly acknowledged.

In interviews, Webstad has shared that her journey of healing and self-discovery has been ongoing. She continues to advocate for the importance of mental health and well-being, both for herself and for other residential school survivors.

Works Picture books

Story

Film