Irwin Memorial Public School (IMPS) Grade 7 student, Niah, was recently recognized for her contributions to the school’s 2025-2026 Orange Shirt Day*.
Last year Niah shared her artwork with the school’s Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Maxwell, and spoke about a current project she was working on with her father, learning how to draw Ojibway art. Maxwell was impressed by Niah’s artwork and suggested she design a t-shirt for this year’s Orange Shirt Day. With the support from the school principal, Erin Hills, Niah’s family, and the Trillium Lakelands District School Board Indigenous Student Success Team, Niah developed four preliminary designs featuring a bird, turtle, snake, and fish.
“The turtle design depicted Turtle Island, with trees growing on its back, and included the words “Every Child Matters” on the reverse of the shirt,” explained Maxwell. “The bird design carried personal significance, as it reflected Niah’s long-standing interest in drawing birds — a passion she often pursued during her time in my Kindergarten class.”
Once the designs were finalized, the school was connected with Nish Tees who printed all four designs on orange t-shirts and made them available to purchase by the school community. In total, 129 t-shirts were sold and all of the proceeds have been directed to purchase books by Indigenous authors for the IMPS library.
“The Irwin community is deeply grateful for the partnerships that made this project possible, for the many individuals who supported Niah and proudly wore her design, and for the way her artwork has helped share the message of Orange Shirt Day,” said Maxwell. “Together, through creativity and collaboration, we continue to walk the path of reconciliation.”
*Orange Shirt Day honours the story of six-year-old Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s first day at residential school when her new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her.
