Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad is being recognized for her leading role in furthering reconciliation in British Columbia, and across the country.
Webstad was one of six individuals and groups honoured with a Reconciliation Award on Thursday, Jan. 23 by the Lieutenant Governor of B.C. in partnership with the BC Achievement Foundation.
A member of Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, approximately 90 km south of Williams Lake, Webstad was also recognized for her work through the introduction of a new category within the awards named after her.
“You’ve seen witness this evening one of the most courageous, one of the most principled and loving person that you’ll ever meet,” said speaker Patrick Kelly of Webstad as he announced the new Phyllis Webstad Emerging Leader in Reconciliation Award.
Kelly made the announcement following Webstad’s address, during which she announced plans to celebrate the 2026 graduating class, the first generation of students who will have learned about residential schools and Orange Shirt Day from kindergarten to Grade 12.
“Things are going to change,” she said. "When I talk to survivors, I tell them our world is in good hands, these kids care and they’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Webstad is a third-generation residential school survivor, whose experience she said was a “walk in the park” compared to what her mother, uncles, aunts and grandmother went through. Yet Webstad recounted how she cried herself to sleep while attending St. Joseph's Mission near Williams Lake and had only her peers for comfort. She started Orange Shirt Day in 2015, two years after telling her story while the Truth and Reconciliation Commission visited Williams Lake.
“Thank you for showing us the way,” said Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Janet Austin to the recipients moments before the awards were handed out.
The award ceremony was held at the Lieutenant Governor’s residence in Victoria, on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. Austin has made it her priority to advance reconciliation throughout her term during which the annual B.C. Reconciliation Awards were first started. During her mandate, which will end shortly, Austin also gave royal assent to the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
“Through your example we see the transformative power of reconciliation when practiced with authenticity,” she said. “Much work lies ahead. What is required is nothing short of revolutionary."
Other recipients of the 2024 Reconciliation Award were Sdahl Ḵ’awaas Lucy Bell of the Haida Nation, Corporal (retired) Chris Gosselin, former chief of Splatsin First Nation Gloria Morgan and the groups Qwelmínte Secwépemc and Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services.
Read more about their incredible work and that of previous recipients including Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of Williams Lake First Nation at the awards' website.
