Mental Health Support
No one should have to carry grief or trauma alone. The National Residential School Crisis Line is available 24/7 for Survivors and their families at 1-866-925-4419.
Phyllis’s Story
Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, is a residential school Survivor. Her story is the origin for Orange Shirt Day.
On her first day of school, Phyllis arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
“The color 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,” says Phyllis.
Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On September 30, CLBC joins communities across Canada in recognizing Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is a time to honour residential school Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and reflect on the lasting impacts of the residential school system. It is also a call to action—a reminder that reconciliation is not a single day, but an ongoing commitment to truth, healing, and meaningful change.
Wearing an orange shirt on September 30 stands as a powerful symbol: it acknowledges the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Phyllis and 150,000 other stolen Indigenous children who forcibly attended these schools over the course of 160 years.
The traumatic effects of cultural loss, family separation and mistrust of institutions remain. Recognizing this history, and the ongoing racism and systemic challenges Indigenous people face today, is essential to understanding the experiences of Indigenous communities.
“Every Child Matters” artwork by Wyatt Collins
Over the last few years, CLBC’s Indigenous Relations team has distributed Orange Shirt Day shirts to all CLBC staff. The shirts feature “Every Child Matters” artwork painted by Wyatt Collins and commissioned by CLBC. Wyatt is Nlaka’pamux from the Nicola Valley and has Autism. You can read more about Wyatt and his family here.
Wyatt started painting in 2017 and discovered his unique style in Abstract Expressionism. Wyatt paints with a clear focus that allows him to show emotion through his uninhibited brushwork. In his “Every Child Matters” painting, Wyatt portrays “children on the red road”, which, in Indigenous culture, “signifies a spiritual path and being connected to everything, respecting all our relations, Mother Earth and Father Sky. It reminds us to honour our ancestors. It is walking the right path in life and believing in a power higher and greater than us.”
Beyond September 30
The message Every Child Matters is not just symbolic—it is a promise to ensure that Indigenous children, youth and families across B.C. have safety, belonging and opportunity. It is a call for all of us to consider how we were educated about Indigenous people and how that education contributes to the ongoing challenges of Indigenous people and communities.
Residential School is not solely Indigenous history. It is Canadian history, and we are all responsible to ensure our actions and decisions contribute to a more just and equitable future.
By listening, learning and taking meaningful action, we honour the resilience and strength of survivors and work together toward a future where Every Child Matters.
