Phyllis Webstad, author and founder of Orange Shirt Day, will be in Grande Prairie discussing the journey to reconciliation at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre – Traditional Healing Garden on Wednesday.
In 2013, when Orange Shirt Day started, Webstad told the story of her first day at a residential school when the new orange shirt she was given by her grandmother was taken from her. Since 2013 Orange Shirt Day has been marked on September 30 as “remembrance, teaching and healing.” In June 2021, the Canadian Government declared September 30 a national statutory holiday coinciding with Orange Shirt Day. Orange shirt day was first held in Grande Prairie in 2016.
Webstad’s talk will happen at 1 p.m., with a lunch at the Community Kitchen at 12 p.m.
