[8][9][10][11] The inspiration for the Canadian public holiday National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, originally called Orange Shirt Day, came from Webstad, who shared her story at a St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion event held in Williams Lake, British Columbia, in April 2013.

Webstad recounted her first day of residential schooling at six years old, when she was stripped of her clothes, including the new orange shirt her grandmother bought her, which was never returned.

[3][4][5][6][12] It is held annually on September 30 as a national day of remembrance in Canadian communities, where people are encouraged to wear an orange shirt.

[13] Orange Shirt Day exists as a legacy of the SJM Project, and September 30 signifies the time of year when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes to residential schools.

[4][6] In addition to simply wearing an orange shirt, Canadians are encouraged to learn more about the history of residential schools and their assimilation practices, drawing from Phyllis' experience in particular.

For instance, many communities have held memorial walks, film screenings, and public lectures to raise awareness about Indigenous history.

[17][18] Following this event, Webstad's story gained traction on social media, leading to the creation of Orange Shirt Day.

[19] The day, observed annually on September 30th, aims to educate people about the impact of residential schools and honour the experiences of Indigenous children.

[13] Webstad serves as the ambassador for the Orange Shirt Society, a non-profit organization she founded to support reconciliation events and create awareness about the impacts of the residential school system.

[26] The initiative, which is a collaboration with the Western Hockey League, aims to educate young people about Indigenous history and the value of reconciliation through sports.

[35][30][36] On October 6, 2023, Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, British Columbia, awarded Webstad an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree.

[37] Webstad was born on July 13, 1967, on the Dog Creek Reserve,[note 1] approximately 85 kilometers south of Williams Lake, British Columbia.

Webstad's great-grandmother, born in 1880, grew up under the oppressive Indian Act and believed that residential schools would provide opportunities for her descendants.

[42] The residential school system aimed to assimilate Indigenous children, often forbidding them from speaking their native languages or practicing their cultural traditions.