Orange Shirt Society and Vancouver Convention Centre Open Dedicated Public Space for Learning and Reflection
September 28th, 2026 / News
VANCOUVER, BC (September 24, 2026) — The Orange Shirt Society, PavCo and the Vancouver Convention Centre have dedicated a public space in the Centre’s Harbour Concourse to share the Society’s story, mission and the message that Every Child Matters.
Connecting the Centre’s East and West buildings, the dedicated space features the official Every Child Matters crosswalk, designed by Jody Broomfield, Councillor, Squamish Nation. Interpretive displays share the story of Orange Shirt Society CEO and Co-Founder Phyllis Webstad, the Society’s educational mission, and the history and ongoing impacts of Canada’s residential school system.
“My story started with one orange shirt, which was taken away from me on my first day at a residential school. My story has now become a national movement rooted in the truth that Every Child Matters,” said Phyllis Webstad, Founder and CEO of the Orange Shirt Society. “This dedicated space helps keep that message visible throughout the year, honouring Survivors, remembering the children who never came home, and inviting more people to walk the path of truth and reconciliation together.”
The Vancouver Convention Centre’s Harbour Concourse will be open to visitors on Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30), and throughout the year. The dedicated space gives visitors a place to engage with the Society’s educational content and connects annual remembrance with broader learning about truth-telling, reflection and the continuing responsibilities of reconciliation.
“The Vancouver Convention Centre is honoured to dedicate this space to the Orange Shirt Society and help share its important story with everyone who moves through our Harbour Concourse,” said Craig Lehto, General Manager, Vancouver Convention Centre. “The Orange Shirt Society has led this initiative from the beginning, and we are proud to play a supporting role. This dedicated space creates another opportunity for learning and reflection and reinforces our responsibility to support truth and reconciliation — not only on September 30, but throughout the year.”
PavCo, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and the Orange Shirt Society worked with Indigenous Marketing Solutions, an Indigenous-owned communications and creative agency owned by the member Nations of the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, to develop the interpretive display and timeline featured in the space. The opening brought together representatives from these organizations, along with Indigenous leaders, government representatives and community partners.
The dedicated space also supports the broader vision for the Harbour Concourse as a place where visitors can engage with Indigenous histories, art and stories year-round, alongside existing artwork, interpretive displays and welcome signage.
About the Orange Shirt Society
The Orange Shirt Society is an Indigenous-led, Survivor-founded non-profit organization co-founded by residential school Survivor Phyllis Webstad. Inspired by Phyllis’ story of having her orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school, the Society educates the public about the legacy of the residential school system in Canada, honours Survivors and the children who never came home, supports families and communities impacted by residential schools, and advances truth and reconciliation through community programs, public education and remembrance events. The orange shirt has become a symbol of hope, reconciliation and the enduring truth that Every Child Matters.
About the Vancouver Convention Centre
Operated by B.C. Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), the Vancouver Convention Centre has welcomed the world to Vancouver’s waterfront since 1987. The venue generates economic and community benefit for British Columbia through the management and marketing of the province’s premier convention and exhibition facility. The Harbour Concourse between the Centre’s West and East buildings features Indigenous artwork, stories and installations that create opportunities for learning and engagement year-round.
About PavCo
B.C. Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) is a Provincial Crown Corporation that owns and operates BC Place and the Vancouver Convention Centre on behalf of the Province of British Columbia. PavCo generates economic and community benefit for British Columbia through the operation of world-class public venues.
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