Partners & Collaborations
As One has partnered with Phyllis Webstad of the Orange Shirt Society and the founder of Orange Shirt Day for the past year, working in collaboration to create beautiful 'Learn Through Play' wooden Story Blocks following Phyllis's life before, during and after residential school. The Story Blocks are illustrated by Hawlii Pichette of Urban Iskwew. As One also has made EVERY CHILD MATTERS Banners in collaboration with Phyllis Webstad and illustrated by Hawlii Pichette.
Partial proceeds from the Story Blocks and Banners will be donated to the Orange Shirt Society and Reconciliation Canada. These products also support Hawlii Pichette, the Indigenous artist who designed the illustrations and mama-owned and operated business.
Phyllis Webstad of the Orange Shirt Society and the founder of Orange Shirt Day with Carmen Pereda presenting As One’s 'Learn Through Play' EVERY CHILD MATTERS products.
Phyllis Webstad with the EVERY CHILD MATTERS BANNER with illustrations of Phyllis’s Family by Hawlii Pichette of Urban Iskwew: Top left: Phyllis’s Mother, Rose Wilson nee Jack, Bottom left: Phyllis’s Granny, Lena Jack, Middle: Phyllis (Jack) Webstad & her son Jeremy Boston, Right: Phyllis’s Auntie, Agness Jack.
Partners
Phyllis (Jack) Webstad
Story Block Author
orangeshirtday.org
Bio info is from medicinewheel.education
Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) is Northern Secwépemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She comes from mixed Secwépemc and European heritage. She was born in Dog Creek and lives in Williams Lake, B.C., 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.
Excerpt is from orangeshirtday.org
The Orange Shirt Society is a non-profit organization with its home in Williams Lake, B.C., where Orange Shirt Day began in 2013. Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place May 2013 in Williams Lake, B.C., Canada. This project was the vision of the Esk’etemc (Alkali Lake) current Chief Kukpi7 Fred Robbins, a former SJM student. The events were designed to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of this May 2013 project. As spokesperson for the Reunion group leading up to the events, former student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad told her story of her first day at residential school when her shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year-old girl. The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to a global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools.
Collaborations
Excerpt is from reconciliationcanada.ca
Born from the vision of Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, Gwawaenuk Elder, Reconciliation Canada is leading the way in engaging Canadians in dialogue and transformative experiences that revitalize the relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. Reconciliation Canada’s model for reconciliation engages people in open and honest conversation to understand our diverse histories and experiences. Reconciliation Canada actively engage multi-faith and multi-cultural communities to explore the meaning of reconciliation. Together, we are charting a New Way Forward. Each person has an important role to play in reconciliation. Reconciliation begins with oneself and then extends into our families, relationships, workplaces and eventually into our communities. Reconciliation Canada actively provides programs and initiatives to inspire positive change in communities throughout Canada.
Hawlii Pichette of Urban Iskwew
Story Blocks, Banner & Orange Shirt Day T-shirt Artist & Illustrator
urbaniskwew.com
Hawlii Pichette is a Mushkego Cree (Treaty 9) urban mixed-blood artist and illustrator, and mother. She currently resides in London, Ontario, where she runs her own business, ‘Urban Iskwew’ and works as a freelance artist. She was born and raised in the small community of Cochrane, located in northeastern Ontario. Her work is deeply influenced by her culture and upbringing and reflects the beautiful interconnections of the natural world.
Her practice includes illustrations, digital artwork, painting, murals, and beadwork. She graduated from Fanshawe College’s advanced Fine Art program with honours in 2017, receiving the Satellite Award exhibition. Hawlii went on to complete a one-year residency in the Emerging Artists Studio Program at The Centre for Creativity (TAP) in London, Ontario, where she had her first solo show in April 2018. More recently, she created a large mural in downtown London’s prominent Market Lane.
Hawlii is also known for a series of Indigenous colouring pages that she illustrates and shares on her website.