Phyllis Webstad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phyllis Webstad
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Webstad in May 2022
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| Born | Phyllis Jack July 13, 1967 Dog Creek, Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia, Canada |
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Education | Doctorate of Law (honorary) |
| Genre | Historical |
| Subject | Canadian Indian residential school system |
| Years active | 2018 to present |
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| Notable awards |
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Phyllis Webstad (born July 13, 1967) is a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) author and activist. She is from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation in British Columbia, Canada. Phyllis is known for creating Orange Shirt Day. This day of remembrance later became a public holiday in Canada, called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Phyllis is a survivor of the First Nations residential school system. She has written several books, including a picture book that shares her experiences at a residential school.
Contents
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The idea for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which started as Orange Shirt Day, came from Phyllis Webstad. She shared her personal story at an event in Williams Lake, British Columbia, in April 2013.
Phyllis talked about her first day at a residential school when she was six years old. She had a brand new orange shirt that her grandmother bought for her. But when she arrived, her clothes, including the orange shirt, were taken away and never given back.
This orange shirt now stands for how the residential school system tried to make Indigenous children forget their own culture. Orange Shirt Day is held every year on September 30. It is a national day of remembrance in Canada. People are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to show their support. In 2021, the Canadian government made it a public holiday for federal workers.
Orange Shirt Day continues the work of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Project. September 30 was chosen because it's the time of year when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes to residential schools. The official saying for the day is "Every Child Matters."
Besides wearing an orange shirt, Canadians are asked to learn about the history of residential schools. They should also learn about how these schools tried to make Indigenous children adopt non-Indigenous ways. Many communities hold memorial walks, show films, and have public talks to teach people about Indigenous history. Schools across Canada now use this day to teach students about this important part of history.
Career
Phyllis Webstad became an activist and public speaker in April 2013. This was when she first shared her residential school story at the St. Joseph's Mission Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion event. This was the first time she publicly told her story, including what happened with her orange shirt.
After this event, Phyllis's story became very popular online. This led to the creation of Orange Shirt Day. This day is observed every year on September 30. It helps teach people about the effects of residential schools and honors the experiences of Indigenous children. The date was chosen because it's when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes to residential schools. Orange Shirt Day has become a very important movement in Canada.
In 2021, the Canadian government made Orange Shirt Day a public holiday. It is now known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Phyllis Webstad is the ambassador for the Orange Shirt Society. This is a non-profit group she started to support reconciliation events. It also helps raise awareness about the impacts of the residential school system. The society offers programs that teach about the importance of respect and community. Phyllis often gives presentations and leads workshops. She also takes part in the Orange Jersey Project. This project, led by her son, works with the Western Hockey League. It aims to teach young people about Indigenous history and reconciliation through sports.
Awards
In 2017, Phyllis Webstad received the Community Impact Award from Thompson Rivers University. She was also recognized as a distinguished alumni.
In September 2021, she won the First Nation Communities Read Award. This was for her book "Beyond The Orange Shirt Story."
In December 2021, she won the 2021 Doris Anderson Woman of the Year award.
In January 2022, Phyllis was given the Governor General's Meritorious Service Cross in the civil division. This award is given to Canadians for amazing actions that bring honor to Canada.
Education
In the early 2000s, Phyllis Webstad went to the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT). This is an Indigenous public college in British Columbia. At NVIT, Phyllis earned a diploma in business administration.
Phyllis continued her education at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). There, she earned a diploma in accounting.
On October 6, 2023, Simon Fraser University (SFU) gave Phyllis Webstad an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree. This special degree was given during SFU's fall graduation ceremony.
Personal life
Early life
Phyllis Webstad was born on July 13, 1967. She was born on the Dog Creek Reserve in British Columbia.
Phyllis was mostly raised by her grandmother on the Dog Creek Reserve until she was ten. Their home did not have electricity or running water. But Phyllis remembers a childhood full of traditional ways and a strong connection to the land. Her family lived off the land. They had three gardens and stored food in a cellar. Phyllis helped catch sockeye salmon along the Fraser River at night. They would clean the fish and dry them in the morning. Berry picking was also a common activity. In the summers, Phyllis's grandmother would take her and her cousin camping along the Fraser River.
Phyllis's family has a long history with the residential school system. Her mother and father were not around much when she was young. Her grandmother was her main caregiver and taught her traditional ways. Phyllis's great-grandmother, born in 1880, grew up under the Indian Act. She believed that residential schools would help her family. Both Phyllis's mother and grandmother went to St. Joseph's Mission Residential School for ten years each.
On September 30, 1973, when she was six years old, Phyllis was sent to St. Joseph's Mission Residential School. Before she left, her grandmother took her shopping for new clothes. Phyllis chose a shiny orange shirt. This shirt made her excited about school. On her first day, school staff took away all her clothes, including the new orange shirt. It was never given back. This difficult experience later became the inspiration for Orange Shirt Day.
Phyllis spent one year at St. Joseph's Mission. She was taken by bus to a different school in Williams Lake for classes during the day. She returned to the residential school at night. During her time there, Phyllis had very little contact with her family. This was common in the residential school system. The residential school system tried to make Indigenous children forget their own culture. They were often not allowed to speak their native languages or practice their traditions.
The next year, a school was built on the Dog Creek Reserve. This allowed Phyllis to go home and live with her grandmother. Her experiences at the residential school later influenced her work in reconciliation efforts.
Adulthood
Phyllis Webstad is married and lives in Williams Lake. She has one biological son and a step-son. Phyllis is also a grandmother to five grandchildren.
Phyllis has said that her grandchildren are the first in her family to grow up with both of their parents. Her oldest grandson has become a certified paramedic, which she is very proud of.
Phyllis has shared that her journey of healing and self-discovery is ongoing. She continues to speak about the importance of mental health and well-being. This is for herself and for other residential school survivors.
Works
- The Orange Shirt Story (2018)
- Phyllis's Orange Shirt (2019)
- With Our Orange Hearts (2022)
- Every Child Matters (2023)
- Today is Orange Shirt Day (2024)
