News and media

Orange Shirt Society marks a powerful milestone in achieving the “Truth” in Truth and Reconciliation.

BC Place Terry Fox Plaza, Vancouver – Unceded Territories of Musqueam Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh, September 15th, 2025 at 1PM – The Orange Shirt Society proudly celebrates a landmark in education and reconciliation: the graduation of B.C.’s first class to complete K–12 with Indian Residential School history fully integrated into their curriculum.

“We are putting Canada on notice: history is being made, and these graduates are leaving the school system with empathy and knowledge of what happened to us in residential schools,” said Phyllis Webstad, CEO & founding member of the Orange Shirt Society. “For the first time, we’re celebrating graduates nationwide who have all been taught the truth about residential schools.”

The first celebration will take place at BC Place in Vancouver on April 13th . This historic event will bring together the Class of 2026 in a powerful gathering of unity, inclusion, Truth and Reconciliation.

Graduation Celebration Events will be planned across Canada over coming years, to honour this milestone that marks the first of many generations to be educated in the truths of our shared history. The integrated curriculum reflects years of advocacy tied to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

“This is a stepping stone on the path to Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. These celebrations honour all children and graduates in Canada in a ceremony that unites cultures, honours Survivors and their families, and empowers youth. We are doing the work, and now we invite all Canadians to support this journey.” – Phyllis Webstad

Tickets will be publicly available in 2026 and Orange Shirt Society will be coordinating with BC School districts to represent the 5 regions of the province. This is about all of us, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous. Communities, media, and allies are invited to join and amplify this moment in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Journey.