Orange Shirt Day: Every child matters.
Wearing an Orange Shirt is symbolic – it’s a powerful statement of resilience, reconciliation, and remembrance. The orange shirt itself represents the story of Phyllis Webstad, a third generation Residential School Survivor, who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school, symbolizing the stripping of Indigenous identity and dignity.
“The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.” (https://orangeshirtday.org/orange-shirt-day/#story)
Our Project
“Local” is important to us. By engaging local artists in our collaboration with Oakleaf Promotions, we were able to make a greater impact with the shirts we wear while supporting and including friends and neighbours within our community.
All proceeds from the sale of our “local” orange shirts will go directly to “Pathways to Healing”, and initiative of the Southern Chief’s Organization Inc.
Learn how you can get involved:
Our Artists
Featured on our orange shirts this year is artwork by two local Métis artists, bringing extra meaning to our shirts and their significance as we acknowledge the impact that residential schools have had on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families in Canada.
Pierette Sherwood
Pierrette is a French-Canadian Métis artist with roots to the Cree Nation, known for transforming reclaimed metals and found objects into art through sculpture, mosaic, and assemblage. She founded Papillon Creations in 2012 and has gained local and national media attention. Her work will be featured in a solo exhibit at the Prairie Fusion Gallery (Portage La Prairie, Manitoba) in November 2024. In 2023, she received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for her contributions as the Founder and Artistic Director of the Dawson Trail Arts and Heritage Project.
Janine Lemay-Troche
Janine Lemay-Troche, born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, has a French Canadian father and Métis mother. Proudly identifying as ‘Red River Métis,’ she is the great-great-niece of Métis leader Louis Riel, Manitoba’s founder and first Premier. Janine and her siblings work to share their French/Métis heritage with their families. An avid artist, quilter, and ribbon skirt maker, she lives in Steinbach, Manitoba, with her husband Harry and has five children and eight grandchildren.