Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day tells the true story of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) woman from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation. The narrative follows six-year-old Phyllis as she prepares to leave her family and attend St. Joseph's Residential School in Williams Lake, British Columbia. The book recounts Webstad's experience through accessible text and illustrations, focusing on a special orange shirt given to her by her grandmother. This story became the inspiration for Orange Shirt Day, observed annually on September 30th as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. Through Webstad's personal account, the book addresses the broader history of residential schools in Canada and their impact on Indigenous communities. The themes of family bonds, cultural identity, and reconciliation make this book an important resource for understanding this chapter of Canadian history.

Readers value this book as a teaching tool for introducing young children to the history of residential schools in Canada through a personal story. Parents and educators note it opens meaningful discussions while remaining age-appropriate. Liked: - Clear, simple explanations for complex topics - Authentic first-person perspective - Orange shirt imagery resonates with children - Includes discussion questions and learning activities Disliked: - Some found the illustrations basic - A few readers wanted more historical context - Price point considered high by some buyers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.39/5 (460 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (866 ratings) Book Depository: 4.5/5 (52 ratings) Notable Reviews: "Perfect introduction to teach kids about reconciliation" - School Librarian on Goodreads "The personal connection makes it relatable for students" - Grade 3 Teacher on Amazon "Would benefit from more background information" - Parent Reviewer on Amazon

When We Were Alone by David Robertson A grandmother shares with her granddaughter the experiences of Indigenous children in residential schools through the lens of her personal story.

I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe This poem-turned-picture book presents a Mi'kmaw Elder's account of losing her language and culture at residential school.

Shin-chi's Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell Two Indigenous siblings navigate life at residential school while holding onto memories of their family and traditional way of life.

These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens by Ruby Slipperjack Through diary entries, a young girl documents her first year at residential school in 1966 Northern Ontario.

Stolen Words by Melanie Florence A Cree grandfather explains to his granddaughter how his language was taken from him at residential school and his journey to reclaim it.

🧡 Phyllis Webstad's grandmother scraped together enough money to buy her a new orange shirt for her first day at residential school, only to have it stripped away and never returned. 🧡 The Orange Shirt Day movement began in 2013 in Williams Lake, BC, after Phyllis Webstad shared her story at a local St. Joseph Mission Residential School commemoration event. 🧡 September 30th was specifically chosen for Orange Shirt Day because it was the time of year when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes to residential schools. 🧡 The orange shirt has become a symbol of how the residential school system stripped away the dignity, self-worth, and cultural identity of Indigenous children. 🧡 In 2021, September 30th was officially designated as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, a federal statutory holiday inspired by Orange Shirt Day.