Orange Shirt Society founder, Secwepemc leaders and experts receive B.C. Reconciliation Awards
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KAMLOOPS — A group of leaders from the eight Secwépemc communities and the founder of the Orange Shirt Society received B.C. Reconciliation Awards for 2024.
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of B.C. and the BC Achievement Foundation announced that Phyllis Webstad of Williams Lake and Qwelmínte Secwépemc are among the recipients of the fourth B.C. Reconciliation Award. In a news release issued Tuesday (Nov. 5), the province says the award recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect and commitment to furthering reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in B.C., or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts.
Webstad is a founding member of the Orange Shirt Society, which is dedicated to educating the public about the lasting trauma of residential schools and honouring survivors and their families. Her activism began in 2013 when she shared her own residential school experience, which inspired the creation of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Qwelmínte Secwépemc is a collective of leadership and technical experts from the eight Secwépemc communities (Adams Lake Indian Band, High Bar First Nation, Skwlāx te Secwepemcu’lecw, Simpcw, Skeetchestn, Splatsin, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band) that works with four B.C. government ministries to advance reconciliation and foster shared governance. The province says Qwelmínte’s work spans forestry, water, wildlife and energy.
