‘Every Child Matters’ crosswalk unveiled in North Vancouver, Canada

A new orange “Every Child Matters” crosswalk was unveiled Sept. 17 at Dollarton Highway and Sleil-Waututh Road in North Vancouver, according to the North Shore Daily Post. The project was a collaboration between səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), the Orange Shirt Society and the District of North Vancouver, and is one of eight such crosswalks across Canada.

The design, created by Tsleil-Waututh artist Candace Thomas, features a Thunderbird symbol honoring residential school survivors who never returned home and missing and murdered Indigenous women. Phyllis Webstad, CEO of the Orange Shirt Society, attended the ceremony. səlilwətaɬ Chief Justin Sky George was quoted as saying the crosswalk honors 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.” Orange Shirt Society President Seli’xwelut-Shannon Henderson said each crosswalk is a promise to remember and stand with Indigenous families and communities.