With Our Orange Hearts

Publisher's Description (Medicine Wheel Publishing):
“Every child matters, including you and me. With our orange hearts, we walk in harmony.”

As a young child, your little world can be full of big feelings.

In this book, I, Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, show how sharing my story with the world helped me to process my feelings. My true story encourages young children to open their hearts when others share their feelings, and be more comfortable sharing their own feelings, too. Listening is a first step towards reconciliation. It’s never too early to start.

This book is also available in French under the title "Avec nos coeurs orange".

Author and Illustrator Biographies (Strong Nations):
Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) is Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She comes from mixed Secwepemc and Irish/French heritage. She was born in Dog Creek and lives in Williams Lake, BC, Canada. In 2018 Phyllis Webstad launched her children’s book called The Orange Shirt Story to share her story in her own words. The Orange shirt story tells the story of young Phyllis having her orange shirt taken away on her first day of residential school and never to see it again. A simple orange shirt has become a conversation starter for all aspects of residential school across Canada and beyond. Phyllis has inspired thousands and thousands of people to honour residential school survivors and their families and share the call on September 30th of each year that “EVERY CHILD MATTERS.” Phyllis is well respected for her work, her courage and for striving to heal our communities and Nation through speaking her truth.

Emily Kewageshig is an Anishnaabe artist and visual storyteller from Saugeen First Nation No. 29.

Resource type: Picturebook

Age recommendation: K-3, Grades 4-6

Keywords: Orange shirt day, feelings, story, sharing, children, every child matters, healing, emotions, honour, relations, reconciliation, harmony, listening, Northern Secwepemc, Shuswap, Anishnaabe, love, kindness, September 30, French version, French language, Indigenous Canadian, First Nations, Salish, Interior Salish, Stswecem'c Xgat'tem, Anishinaabeg, Ojibway, Saugeen First Nation (Chippewas of Saugeen)

Year of publication: 2022

Publisher information: Medicine Wheel Publishing