The creator of Orange Shirt Day will be speaking in the Quesnel Museum Heritage Speaker Series on Thursday, Nov. 8.
Phyllis Webstad was six years old when she was stripped of her new orange shirt on the first day of school at St. Joseph Mission residential school in 1973.
Now, Orange Shirt Day is recognized across the country as a day to remember the impact of residential schools and bring people together in the spirit of reconciliation.
Orange Shirt Day first started in Williams Lake in 2013, and has since become an annual event to open the discussion surrounding all aspects of residential schools. It takes place on Sept. 30, 2018.
Webstad will talk about her story and the story of Orange Shirt Day at the event, as well as her role in getting the “residential [school] story told in a truthful, but non-judgmental way,” according to a press release sent out by the Quesnel & District Museum.
Webstad has also published an illustrated children’s book, The Orange Shirt Story, about her time in the residential school system, and it will also be part of the discussion. The book will be avalable for purchase at the event as well.
Following Webstad’s presentation, there will be a screening of Indian Horse, a film based on a novel of the same name by Ojibwe author Richard Wagamese, which follows the story of a young boy who survives the residential school system to go on to become a star hockey player.
Admission to the event is by donation. The presentation will take place from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Quesnel Council Chambers on Thursday, Nov. 8.
READ MORE: Hundreds gather in LeBourdais Park for Orange Shirt Day
heather.norman@quesnelobserver.com
Like us on Facebook