Today Is Orange Shirt Day

Phyllis Webstad (née Jack) is Northern Secwépemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She comes from mixed Secwépemc and Irish/French heritage. She was born in Dog Creek and lives in Williams Lake, BC, Canada.In 2018 Phyllis Webstad launched her children’s book called “The Orange Shirt Story” to share her story in her own words. The Orange shirt story tells the story of young Phyllis having her orange shirt taken away on her first day of Residential School and never to see it again. A simple orange shirt has become a conversation starter for all aspects of Residential School across Canada and beyond.Phyllis has inspired thousands and thousands of people to honour Residential School Survivors and their families and share the call on September 30th of each year that “EVERY CHILD MATTERS.”Phyllis is well respected for her work as an ambassador for the Orange Shirt Day, her courage and for striving to heal our communities and Nation through speaking her truth.Natassia Davies is a professional artist, graphic designer, and illustrator living on British Columbia’s vibrant West Coast. Interweaving her Coast Salish heritage with a multi-disciplinary skillset and a passion for storytelling, Natassia amplifies the voices of Indigenous peoples through transformative visual communication. She has illustrated several children’s books, including White Raven, written by Teoni Spathelfer, which was shortlisted for the Indigenous Voices Awards and the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize.

"Bright colors and imagery associated with Indigenous culture fill the pages, inviting young children to explore and discover each one… An accessible way for families to celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of every individual, and to support the ongoing memory of those who experienced life in Canada’s residential school system."—School Library Journal