For artist Tracey Anthony, this year’s Orange Shirt Day design is deeply personal.
Dedicated to his grandmother, Bessie LaForme (née Hill) of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, who attended the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont., the artwork tells a story of family, culture and resilience.
The design is featured on this year’s collection at Walmart Canada, created in partnership with Indigenous Proud to mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Tracey, who has Delaware (Lenni-Lenape), Haudenosaunee and Mississauga (Anishinaabe) roots and lives on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, uses his contemporary artwork to explore themes of identity, spirituality, community and connection to the land.
Here’s what Tracey shared about the meaning behind the piece:
"The moccasins represent these ways that were taken from our people. Represent the children that suffered. The Monarch Butterfly represents the rebirth and resurgence of our culture, our language, and our ways. The Sun represents the light that gives life to the rebirth and resurgence of our Nations. The flowers represent the beauty and blooming of our resilience in the face of atrocity. And finally the design is for my Grandmother, my mom's Mother, Bessie LaForme (Nee: Hill) of the MCFN - Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, as she was forced to attend The Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ontario. She was resilient. She was loved."
Pictured: Tracey’s grandmother, Bessie LaForme, on the left, and Tracey Anthony with his son on the right.
Tracey’s design is at the heart of this year’s Orange Shirt Day collection, available in Walmart stores across Canada and on Walmart.ca. For every orange shirt sold, 100% of profits will be donated to the Orange Shirt Society and Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
Since launching the Orange Shirt Day program in 2021, Walmart Canada has donated more than $2.7 million CAD to Indigenous charities.
“We’re grateful to our customers, associates, artists and partners who have supported this program over the past five years. Orange Shirt Day is an important opportunity to listen, learn and reflect while honouring survivors, their families and indigenous communities across Canada.” [Molly Dobson, VP Fashion]
