A design unique to Prince Albert will be available for this year’s Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Formerly known as an Orange Shirt Day, September 30th has now become a national holiday with the goal to remember survivors of Canada’s residential schools.
The Prince Albert Indian and Metis Friendship Centre along with the City of Prince Albert recently put out a call for an Indigenous artist to design a shirt for this year.
Among the submission’s Ailah Carpenter’s “Flying Back Home” design was chosen.
“Flying Back Home is a design for Orange Shirt Day, which shares a message of hope in four parts. One is hope in the form of strength, shown with eagle feathers; One is hope in endless purpose, represented with the stars; One is hope following change, represented in the life cycle of a butterfly; And one is hope in the form of future generations, presented in the children who stand united. This design is for everyone that’s been impacted by residential schools,” said Carpenter about her design. “With every step we make to honour lost loved ones, we are bringing our ancestor’s home.”
Carpenter, currently resides in Prince Albert and is taking her Fine Arts degree at the University of Saskatchewan.
“We all have a lot of work to move ahead on the path of reconciliation. Orange shirts remain an important symbol of support in that cause,” said Janet Carriere, Executive Director of the Prince Albert Indian and Metis Friendship Centre. “Ailah is a talented young artist. Her design for Prince Albert is one of hope. I’m honoured to have this design and what it represents, from a young indigenous artist right here in Prince Albert, on our shirts.”
Carpenter’s shirt designs are available for purchase at the Prince Albert Indian and Metis Friendship Centre.
(PHOTO: Ailah Carpenter’s “Flying Back Home” design)