September 17, 2025

North Vancouver, BC – səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) and the Orange Shirt Society have unveiled an orange “Every Child Matters” crosswalk design at the intersection of Dollarton Highway and Sleil-Waututh Road in North Vancouver.

The orange crosswalk design, “Every Child Matters”, was created by səlilwətaɬ artist Candace Thomas in honour of the Residential School Survivors, and for the ones who never made it home. The Thunderbird embraces both Residential School Survivors and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

The crosswalk is one of eight (8) crosswalks that have been unveiled across the country as part of the Every Child Matters Crosswalk Project of Orange Shirt Society. Its vision is to create safe spaces for Survivors and their families to feel seen, honoured, and reminded that they matter and what happened to them matters. Each crosswalk is a vivid reminder of the children being honoured, the Survivors being believed, and that the truths we face are not confined to history, but present in our shared journey today. By walking across Every Child Matters Crosswalks, we walk together toward truth, reconciliation, and hope.

The Tsleil-Waututh community, along with delegates from Orange Shirt Society and District of North Vancouver, gathered to honour crosswalk artist Candace Thomas and welcome special guest Phyllis Webstad, CEO and co-founder of Orange Shirt Day. The ceremony reflected the spirit of Orange Shirt Day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, by commemorating the Residential School experience and honouring the healing journey of all Tsleil-Waututh Survivors and their families. 

Orange Shirt Society worked together with delegates of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the District of North Vancouver, with support from the North Shore Community Foundation, to install and plan for the Every Child Matters Crosswalk that now sits on the intersection of Dollarton Highway and Sleil-Waututh Road in North Vancouver.

“The crosswalk is a true gift to our community, said səlilwətaɬ Chief Justin Sky George. It honours our səlilwətaɬ Residential and Day School Survivors and sends a clear message to the external community and allies that we welcome them to walk with us on this journey of reconciliation. Our hands are raised in deep gratitude to səlilwətaɬ artist, Candace Thomas, for her moving design and to the Orange Shirt Society, DNV, and the North Shore Community Foundation for their tremendous support in making this happen.”

The Every Child Matters Crosswalk is more than a symbol—it’s part of painting Canada orange, one community at a time,” said Seli’xwelut-Shannon Henderson, President of Orange Shirt Society. “It reminds us daily of the children who never came home, the survivors we support, and the journey of reconciliation we walk together. Each step across it is a promise to remember, to listen, and to stand with Indigenous families and communities. It’s a visible commitment to truth, healing, and unity.”

“The orange “Every Child Matters” crosswalk is a powerful symbol of resiliency and is an important step in our journey towards reconciliation,” said District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little. “I am grateful we have had the opportunity to work alongside səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and the Orange Shirt Society in creating a vivid reminder of past generations and learning their truths.”

Media contact for səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation):
Tel: 604-404-9070
Email: communications@twnation.ca

Media contact for Orange Shirt Society:
Email: COO@OrangeShirtDay.org

Learn More about Orange Shirt Society: https://orangeshirtday.org/

Learn More about Every Child Matters Crosswalk Project: https://orangeshirtday.org/programs/