WATCH — Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad answers kids ...
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CONTENT WARNING: This story and video contains information about a residential school experience. Consider reading it with a trusted adult. It’s common to have an emotional reaction to the news. Orange Shirt Day is marking its 10th anniversary this year. We asked kids in classrooms to submit their questions to Phyllis Webstad, the founder of Orange Shirt Day. Webstad answered kids’ questions in our interview. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️Ten years ago, Phyllis Webstad spoke about her residential school experience in front of an audience of residential school survivors in Williams Lake, British Columbia.
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From there, Orange Shirt Day was born. Since then, it has grown into a cross-Canada movement.
People mark Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30 by wearing orange.
They do so to honour survivors like Webstad and the children who never returned home from residential schools.
Orange Shirt Day shares its date with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which became a federal holiday in 2021. Inspired by Webstad’s story, people also wear orange to mark this day. (Image credit: Ben Nelms/CBC)
Is your school closed on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?Webstad is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. She lives in Williams Lake.
She is a third-generation residential school survivor, which means she, her mom and her grandmother all attended residential schools.
Webstad told CBC Kids News contributor Ainara Alleyne all about her personal experiences and the story behind Orange Shirt Day.
Click play on the video at the top of the page to hear their inspiring conversation!
What are residential schools?Residential schools were boarding schools for First Nations, Inuit and Métis kids and youth.
They existed between 1831 and 1996.
Children were separated from their families and communities and forced to attend the school.
At the schools, Indigenous kids were forced to learn European or Canadian customs.
Many children were abused and thousands died.
WATCH — These Indigenous youth are focused on a joyful future Webstad’s storyIn 1973, when Webstad was six years old, she started attending St. Joseph's Mission Residential School near Williams Lake.
(Graphic design by Philip Street/CBC)
She remembers picking out an orange shirt to wear to her first day of school.
But once she got to the school, Webstad said staff took away her clothes, including her orange shirt. She never had the chance to wear it again.
“The colour orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing,” Webstad wrote on the Orange Shirt Society website.
Now, as the founder and ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society, Webstad travels across the country to tell her story and raise awareness about residential schools and their impact.
CBC Kids News asked kids in classrooms to share their questions for Webstad. Ainara shared some of those questions with Webstad when they sat down for an interview.
Click play to watch the full video all about Webstad’s personal experience.Webstad said she has hope for the next generation.
Click play to hear why kids make Webstad feel better about the future.A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. The 24-hour national crisis line is: 1-866-925-4419.
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TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Lenard Monkman/CBC with graphic design by Philip Street/CBC
