If you want to purchase your own orange shirt for Truth & Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, make sure you purchase directly from Indigenous creators or organizations. Keep in mind that true reconciliation requires continual reflection and action and remember to honour the lived experiences of Indigenous people and support Indigenous-led initiatives all year round!
Orange Shirt Day Society
"The Orange Shirt Society was founded by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad and others who are no longer on our Board. We have Indigenous Staff and Board Members. Our Staff and volunteer Board Members govern the Society and are a group dedicated to supporting our mission." (About Us).
The winning design for Orange Shirt Day 2024 was created by Aliyah Bautista. "Aliyah is a grade 11 student from Ponoka, Alberta. Her design features a child in the middle to represent the “I” in child. However, it is also to honour those who have died as a result of the Indian Residential Schools or are healing from them. It’s to remind people that all children are important. To Aliyah, Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to recognize how many individuals have lost their families and cultures as a result of residential schools. Participating in Orange Shirt Day honours those who have lost their freedom, language, and worth, and raises awareness about the damage done by the schools and respects those that attended them."
Native Arts Society (Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction)
"Established in 2021 by Brianna Olson Pitawanakwat and Nanook Gordon Fareal, Native Arts Society is a Indigenous and 2S owned gallery and studio space located in so-called Toronto, ON." (Native Arts Society). NAS's 2023 Orange Shirt Day design, entitled Star Baby, "Binoojiisuk/ Children are our most precious gifts from Creator. In our teachings, children choose their parents and we respect their autonomy from the moment they are born. We are entrusted to care for them in a good way, as they are the most sacred as they are the closest to our Creator. We remember all the baby ancestors who went before us and who faced difficult lives due to colonial violence. We honour our children every single day. Every Child Matters."
Treaty 1850 Online Store
The Treaty 1850 Store is located in and run by members of the Nipissing First Nation. Orange shirts designed by Bomgiizhik (Isaac Murdoch) from Nimkii Aazhibikoong First Nation.
"[aaniin is] a brand dedicated to Indigenous languages and supporting Indigenous creators 365 days of the year" (Our Story). T-shirt design entitled 94: "gichi apiitendaagoziwag akina abinoonjiiyag is written 94 times in syllabics and separated into six sections to represent the 94 calls to action and the six categories Indigenous people across Canada are fighting for - child welfare, education, health, justice, language and culture."
Resist Clothing Co.
"An Ojibwe owned clothing brand in Canada... This year, our featured design, "Guardians," pays a powerful tribute to the resilience and spirit of Indigenous communities. Drawn in a Modern Woodlands style by Ojibwe designer 'Emjee' from Sagamok First Nation, the design encapsulates the vital essence of Indigenous heritage and spiritual guidance."
