“Now I know I have the right to walk on this earth and breathe this air as much as anyone else. Nobody is better or less than me. I matter… Every Child Matters.”
– Every Child Matters
Phyllis Webstad
Cultural Connections: Secwepemc and Irish/French
Home Base: Williams Lake, BC
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.
Books by Phyllis Webstad
Awards, reviews, and accolades
#5 Top BC Bestselling author for With our Orange Hearts in 2022
Winner of the YA/adult category of the 2021/2022 First Nation Communities Read Awards for the book "Orange Shirt Day September 30 by Phyllis Webstad and Joan Sorley"
Interviews & Articles
New picture book by Orange Shirt Day creator Phyllis Webstad to explore meaning of 'Every Child Matters'
"Orange Shirt Day honours residential school survivors, their families and communities, and commemorates those who did not return home..."
Sep 30, 2020
CBC Listen
"The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn - June 21, 2023: Founder of Orange Shirt Day on her new children's book, Every Child Matters"
Jun 21, 2023
With Our Orange Hearts
""Every child matters, including you and me. With our orange hearts, we walk in harmony." As a young child, your little world can be full of big emotions. In this book, I, Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, show that sharing my story with the world helped me to process my feelings..."
Sep 12, 2022
Survivor: The story of Phyllis Webstad and Orange Shirt Day
"Phyllis Webstad turns her residential school experience into a powerful tool for reconciliation through Orange Shirt Day"
Sep 30, 2020
How Phyllis Webstad inspired a movement towards Reconciliation
"Imagine telling a story that inspires a movement, one that takes on a life of its own, is observed around Canada and beyond, and becomes bigger than you can even comprehend..."
Sep 30, 2021
Beginning the journey of reconciliation: an interview with Phyllis Webstad
"Orange Shirt Day is the legacy of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion that happened in Williams Lake BC in 2013. It is based on the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad who attended the Mission in 1973/74 when..."
Sep 30, 2022
Orange Shirt Day creator Phyllis Webstad reflects on inspiring a movement
"On Sept. 30, Canada will mark its second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as well as Orange Shirt Day, a time to commemorate children who died while being forced to attend residential schools..."
Sep 29, 2020
Phyllis's Orange Shirt
"Phyllis's Orange Shirt is an adaptaion of The Orange Shirt Story. This true story also inspired the movement of Orange Shirt Day which could become a federal statuatory holiday..."
Sep 24, 2018
Videos Featuring Phyllis Webstad
Phyllis Webstad explains the story of her experience at Residential School and the origination of Orange Shirt Day in Canada. She discusses the present situation and her hopes for the future.