Phyllis Webstad

Website:

https://orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story/

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Phyllis Webstad is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She comes from mixed Secwepemc and Irish/French heritage, was born in Dog Creek, and lives in Williams Lake, BC. Today, Phyllis is married, has one son, a stepson and five grandchildren. She is the Founder and Ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society, and tours the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system. She has now published three books, the “Orange Shirt Story” and “Phyllis’ Orange Shirt” for younger children, and "Beyond The Orange Shirt Story".

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She earned diplomas in Business Administration from the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology; and in Accounting from Thompson Rivers University. Phyllis received the 2017 TRU Distinguished Alumni Award for her unprecedented impact on local, provincial, national and international communities through the sharing of her orange shirt story.

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Webstad has inspired thousands and thousands of people to honour residential school survivors and their families and share the call on September 30 of each year that “Every Child Matters.” Webstad is well respected for her work, her courage and for striving to heal our communities and Nation through speaking her truth. In January 2022, Phyllis Webstad was awarded the Governor General's Meritorious Service Cross.