A vibrant orange crosswalk has been introduced along Dollarton Highway in North Vancouver to pay tribute to children who never returned from residential schools. The newly unveiled Every Child Matters crosswalk, a collaborative effort involving the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Orange Shirt Society, with support from the District of North Vancouver and North Shore Community Foundation, serves as a symbol of reconciliation.
Justin Sky George, chief of Tsleil-Waututh Nation, highlighted that the crosswalk honors residential and day school survivors while welcoming allies to join the journey of reconciliation. Designed by Tsleil-Waututh artist Candace Thomas, the crosswalk at the intersection of Dollarton Highway and Sleil-Waututh Road features a depiction of a thunderbird embracing residential school survivors and missing and murdered Indigenous women.
The District of North Vancouver reported that the crosswalk project cost $24,000, covering expenses for a custom stencil and specialized paint colors meeting safety standards. This initiative is part of the Orange Shirt Society’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the historical impact of residential schools, spearheaded by founder Phyllis Webstad in 2013.
Shannon Henderson, the society’s chief operating officer, emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue and fostering learning through initiatives like the Every Child Matters crosswalk. Plans are underway for another crosswalk unveiling at Forbes Avenue and Sixth Avenue near the former site of St. Paul’s Indian Residential School in North Vancouver, scheduled to coincide with ongoing discussions with local Indigenous communities.
Elaine McHarg, CEO of North Shore Community Foundation, disclosed providing a charitable grant of approximately $25,000 in 2023 to support the installation of Every Child Matters crosswalks in North Vancouver. The grant covered various project elements, including ceremony costs and community engagement.
Mayor Mike Little of North Vancouver lauded the significance of the crosswalk, situated on Tsleil-Waututh territory, as a poignant reminder for residents and passersby. The initiative aims to promote awareness and foster understanding of Indigenous history and culture within the community.
