When Phyllis Webstad was six years old, she was sent to St. Joseph Mission residential school near Williams Lake, BC. She lived with her grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve, and although they never had much money, her grandmother had managed to buy her a new, orange shirt for her first day of school.

When she arrived at school, she was stripped of her clothing and her orange shirt was taken from her. She never saw it again.

For Phyllis, the loss of her orange shirt was about much more than a piece of clothing. It became a symbol of the loss of identity, belonging, culture, and self-worth experienced by many Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools.

Years later, while on her healing journey, Phyllis reflected on how her experiences at residential school shaped her life.

“I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained me from my first day at The Mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years,” said Phyllis. “Even now, when I know nothing could be further than the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter.”

As Phyllis shared her story, it resonated with survivors and families across Canada. Her story gained traction on social media, leading to the creation of Orange Shirt Day. What began as her personal healing journey has become a national movement for Truth and Reconciliation.

Today, Orange Shirt Day serves as an opportunity to listen, learn, and reflect on the experiences of residential school survivors. The phrase "Every Child Matters" has become a lasting reminder of the children who attended residential schools, the children who never returned home, and the ongoing work of Truth and Reconciliation.

As the founder of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis continues to share her story through speaking engagements, educational initiatives, and her books, including The Orange Shirt Story and Phyllis's Orange Shirt, helping people of all ages learn about this important part of Canada's history.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established in response to Call to Action #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The Call to Action urged the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, to create a national day to honour residential school survivors, their families, and communities, and to ensure the history and legacy of residential schools are never forgotten.

On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5 received Royal Assent, establishing September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Today, both Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation are observed annually on September 30. While Orange Shirt Day began as a grassroots movement inspired by Phyllis Webstad's story, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provides an opportunity for people across Canada to recognize the enduring impacts of residential schools and honour survivors, their families, and communities.

Wearing orange on September 30 is a visible act of recognition and remembrance. It is also an invitation to deepen our understanding of the residential school system, acknowledge its lasting and intergenerational impacts, and consider our individual and collective role in advancing truth, healing, and reconciliation.

Reflection

Truth and Reconciliation is not limited to a single day. It is an ongoing commitment to learning about the histories and experiences of Indigenous Peoples, listening to survivors, and supporting meaningful action toward reconciliation.

As September 30 approaches, consider taking time to learn more about residential school survivors' experiences, participate in local events, explore Indigenous voices and perspectives, or reflect on what reconciliation means in your own life and community.

Resources:

• Learn more about Phyllis Webstad
• About the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Free Educational Programming
• Calls To Action