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.
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.
Read the award-winning children's book Today is Orange Shirt Day 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. A first conversation about the importance of Orange Shirt Day and what little ones can expect to see and do on Orange Shirt Day, a day recognized annually on September 30th in Canada and a Federal Statutory Holiday since 2021, also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Audience: Ages 3 and under.