Phyliss Webstad, the Williams Lake woman who inspired Orange Shirt Day, described the impact of residential schools on several generations of her family at the 10th annual International Women鈥檚 Day luncheon held by the 91原创 Central Rotary Club on Saturday, March 5.

鈥淢y mother was so traumatized, she could not care for me,鈥� Webstad told the sold-out event at George Preston Recreation Centre.

鈥淪he became an alcoholic. I was fortunate to be brought up by my grandmother.鈥�

READ MORE: Webstad visited 91原创 for reconciliation event in 2018

When Webstad was six, her family managed to scrape together enough money for a store-bought outfit.

In an , Webstad described going to 鈥淩obinson鈥檚 store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting 鈥� just like I felt to be going to school!鈥�

Her new clothes were taken away when she arrived at the residential school.

鈥淭he color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn鈥檛 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.鈥�

Webstad wrote The Orange Shirt Story in 2018. It inspired , held on Sept. 30 to mark the day when children were taken away from their families. It is now known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, after it became a federally recognized holiday.

Before Webstad spoke, 91原创鈥檚 Tina Taphouse told her story.

Taphouse found out in 2019 that she was part of the infamous 鈥� 鈥� of Indigenous children in Canada.

Her mother gave her up for adoption so her daughter wouldn鈥檛 be sent to the infamous Kamloops Indian Residential School.

鈥淚鈥檓 just getting to know my family and culture,鈥� Taphouse said.

Taphouse designed an orange t-shirt, on sale at the luncheon, to raise funds for the society.

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Three women were recognized as unsung heroes at the Saturday event:

Carol Metcalfe, a member of the 91原创 Lodge Auxiliary for 18 years, and president since 2014, has also served as a member of the 91原创 Care Society and Care Foundation since 2014. Her award biography described her as a 鈥渢ireless鈥� volunteer who raises funds and coordinates events.

Faith Bateman volunteers at Wagner Hills Farm, an addictions recovery facility in 91原创. Her bio said Bateman has 鈥渂een a model of love鈥� who is hopeful and supportive of the residents.

Fern Gabriel, from the Kwantlen First Nation, a language teacher and story teller known for her efforts to bring awareness and action to the revitalisation of First Nations culture, was described as a 鈥渟teadfast and faithful advocate for her community.鈥�

A silent auction at the luncheon raised more than $4,000, all of which will go to the Orange Shirt Society.