Description
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/Scottish 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 going to residential school where her orange shirt was taken away on the first day, never to be seen 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. Emily Kewageshig is an Anishnaabe artist and visual storyteller from Saugeen First Nation No. 29. Her work captures the interconnection of life forms using both traditional and contemporary materials and methods. Her work is centered around themes of birth, death, and rebirth as they are closely intertwined in both her cultural teachings and personal lived experiences. Emily attended Sheridan College's Visual and Creative Arts program, as well as OCAD University's Indigenous Visual Culture program. She continues to create artwork for various organizations to highlight Indigenous knowledge and culture.
Read the bestselling children's book With Our Orange Hearts in Secwepemctsín, the Shuswap language. Approved by the author, Phyllis Webstad, and translated by Tracy Thomas, with the assistance of Secwépemc (Shuswap) Elder Rose Wilson, to ensure cultural safety and authenticity. With the intention to assist in language preservation while making cultural stories more accessible to Indigenous Peoples, this series of translated books promote the learning of Indigenous languages for all ages with the help of popular and familiar stories. As a young child, your little world can be full of big feelings. In this book, Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, tells readers how sharing her story with the world helped her to process her feelings. This true story encourages young children to open their hearts when others share their feelings and be more comfortable sharing their own feelings, too. Audience: Ages 3-6.