September 30 marks the day of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not.
This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the striping away of culture, freedom and self esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
150,000 children attended residential schools in Canada. They all have stories to tell. Many of these children did not make it home. Today marks a day of remembering those who did not make it home and those who survived the horrors of residential school in Canada.
Here is Phyllis’s story in her own words:
I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6 years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!
When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! 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. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.
I was 13.8 years old and in grade 8 when my son Jeremy was born. Because my grandmother and mother both attended residential school for 10 years each, I never knew what a parent was supposed to be like. With the help of my aunt, Agness Jack, I was able to raise my son and have him know me as his mother.
I went to a treatment centre for healing when I was 27 and have been on this healing journey since then. I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years. Even now, when I know nothing could be further than the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter. Even with all the work I’ve done!
I am honored to be able to tell my story so that others may benefit and understand, and maybe other survivors will feel comfortable enough to share their stories.
If you are affected or triggered in any way by the events going on today, please call: 1-866-925-4419. This number is the Indian Residential Schools Crises Line. It is available 24-hours a day for any one experiencing pain or distress as a result of his or her Residential school experience.
