University of Winnipeg Unveils New Orange Shirt Design for Reconciliation Day

The University of Winnipeg is taking significant steps to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which falls on September 30. The institution plans to distribute 500 free orange shirts to honor the federal holiday, a vital observance aimed at recognizing the impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities.

This year’s shirt design comes from Micaela Gilbert, an artist affiliated with the Sagkeeng First Nation, located approximately 100 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg. The design features a jingle dress dancer, symbolizing good medicine, alongside a young grass dancer, which represents a hopeful path forward.

Art as a Means of Healing

Grace Redhead, the director of Indigenous community relations at the University of Winnipeg, explained that the university aims to refresh the design every two years. “The artist was a vendor at a market we held last year. She has amazing artwork and stationery. I really enjoy her traditional Anishinaabe floral designs,” Redhead noted.

Although Gilbert was unavailable for direct comment, she shared her sentiments through a statement: “I felt honoured, as it would be my first time to find a way to express what Orange Shirt Day means to me through art. I thought this design would be a good way to represent our journey of healing and creating a new path for our youth to learn, remember, and to honour the meaning of Orange Shirt Day.”

A Community Effort Towards Reconciliation

On the day of the shirt distribution, members of the University of Winnipeg Students Association (UWSA) actively engaged with the community by handing out the shirts to passersby. According to UWSA president Alan Koshy, the initiative serves as a vital step towards understanding and reconciling the historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples. “It is a way for us to come forward, take part, and join hands in this effort,” Koshy stated.

One recipient of the shirt, Rowan Keagan, a student in the Faculty of Education, expressed appreciation for the initiative: “I think it’s awesome that it’s free because then every person can have it—especially students. Sometimes we’re not the wealthiest and have limited access to money to buy shirts. It’s a great option for everyone.”

For Redhead, the symbolism of wearing an orange shirt extends beyond fashion. She remarked on the camaraderie it fosters, saying, “It’s really nice and refreshing to see somebody in an orange shirt. When I see them walking at a distance, it signals to me that they’re an ally, a friend, somebody that is empathetic.”

This initiative at the University of Winnipeg reflects a broader commitment to reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and support in healing from past traumas. As the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaches, the new shirt design serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing journey towards understanding and solidarity.