Hundreds are expected to take part in a candlelight walk to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Beginning at 3 p.m. the event, which is open to all and hosted by Reconciliation 91原创, has scheduled an afternoon and evening of community engagement and learning, followed by Indigenous drummers, speakers, and a candlelight vigil  honouring those who didn鈥檛 come home from residential schools.  

It is one of many held across the country to mark the day, which was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, who was six when she was sent away to a residential school in Mission.

Speaking at the 10th annual International Women鈥檚 Day luncheon held by the 91原创 Central Rotary Club in 2022, Webstad described how her family managed to scrape together enough money for a store-bought outfit. 

Webstad recalled 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�

But her pretty new clothes were taken away when she arrived at the residential school.

鈥淭he color orange has always reminded me of that," Webstad said, "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�

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

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 also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, after it became a .

READ ALSO: B.C. marks 10th anniversary of Orange Shirt Day with new statutory holiday