BOOK THE ORANGE SHIRT STORY

This is a true story of a little girl and her very important orange shirt.

Six-year-old Phyllis Webstad was as excited to wear her shiny new orange shirt as she was to attend school for the first time. But her first day at the St. Joseph Mission near Williams Lake BC was nothing like she expected. Her orange shirt was taken away from her never to be returned.

Since 2013 each year on September 30th we wear orange to honor the Residential School survivors like Phyllis. We honor their experiences and the experiences of their families. Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations local governments schools and communities to all come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for future generations of children.

It is a day to reaffirm that EVERY CHILD MATTERS.

We mark the end of September because that was the month when children were taken from their homes to go to residential schools. September was described by one elder as the "crying month."

Phyllis is so thankful that children are learning about First Nations history. It is something she learned little about when she was at school. It is important that we know our (and each other's) histories. She is overjoyed that you are taking part and learning true history of the First Peoples of Canada.

Phyllis Webstad (nee jack) is Northern Secwépemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek/Dog Creek). She comes from mixed Secwépemc and European ancestry. Phyllis is well respected for her courage and truth telling to raise awareness about the continuing impacts of the Indian Residential School System.