Fashion

Where to Purchase Orange Shirts by Indigenous Designers for Canada Day 2026

Show solidarity and support Indigenous creators.

By Bridget Stringer-Holden, Justine Drummond /

Orange Shirt Day is held every year on September 30 to honour the healing journey of residential school Survivors and bring awareness to the need for reconciliation. Named after Phyllis Webstad’s favourite orange shirt—taken away from her in 1973 on her first day of residential school—this day has grown from a local event in her community of Williams Lake, B.C. to a statutory holiday.

Since the discovery of the 215 potential unmarked graves at Kamloops Residential School in 2021—a number that kept climbing as investigations continued at more schools—flags across the country have been flown at half-mast and people have been wearing orange shirts to show their solidarity and commitment to reconciliation.

Many activists also encourage the wearing of orange shirts for Canada Day, too. Educators like Ian Powell of North Vancouver have underlined the importance of reconsidering what makes us Canadian, as settlers of the stolen land on which we reside.

Local shops are allowing for the purchase or pre-order of orange shirts. Below, we’ve outlined several designs by local organizations or creators and where the proceeds will be donated to Indigenous causes that will help advance reconciliation and keep these conversations going.

 

Black and white design of a bear, an eagle, and two hummingbirds on an orange shirt.

Bear Horne’s Sacred Children Shirt ($30)

This shirt was designed by Coast Salish artist Douglas “Bear” Horne of Tsawout First Nation. The bear helps us to follow the right path, the eagle is meant to help us envision a bright future, the hummingbird keeps our mind, body and spirit healthy, and the flower feeds the connection of all of the elements shown on the shirt. Proceeds from the sales help Eddy Charlie (a residential school survivor) and friend Kristin Spray, who both started Victoria Orange Shirt Day in 2015 to continue to spread awareness about the effects of residential schools.

Black, circular design of three people in nature on an orange shirt.

Kevin Belmore’s Every Child Matters Shirt ($39)

Ojibwe artist Kevin Belmore from Gull Bay First Nation created this image to symbolize hope, love and peace. Belmore hopes that children throughout the world may have peace, so that they their spirits “can grow and flourish.” Proceeds go to the Orange Shirt Society.

 

Orange shirt with a black and white design of many people paddling a canoe under a crescent moon.
Deanna Samuel’s The Children Are Coming Home Shirt ($29-37)

Deanna Samuel, Ditidaht, Nuu-chah-nulth, shares her Elders’ teachings that “children are sacred.” This design honours the memory of children forcibly separated from their communities and is a reminder “to protect the generations rising behind us.” Proceeds from every sale support the Native Northwest Reconciliation Fund.

 

Black and white design of four pairs of hands surrounding the phrase “Every Child Matters” on orange background.

Andy Everson’s Every Child Matters Shirt ($25)

Andy Everson, an artist from K’ómoks First Nation, created this design in 2015. It depicts four pairs of hands surrounding the phrase “Every Child Matters” and is an enduring symbol of this movement. Part of the proceeds go to the Copper Legacy Indigenous Empowerment Society.

 

Orange shirt with a black design of a Raven mother with wings outstretched in the shape of a heart, protecting her two babies.

Yasakw’s Ravens’ Resilience Shirt ($21-25)

This design by Haida and Kwakwaka’wakw artist Yasakw (Shelly Samuels), depicts a Raven with wings outstretched in the shape of a heart, protecting her two babies. Yasakw created this image to honour her Naanii (grandmother) Audrey, a residential school Survivor. Proceeds go to the Native Northwest Reconciliation Fund.

Orange shirt with black design of two Indigenous dancers.

KC Hall’s Every Child Matters Shirt ($20)

Local Indigenous artist KC Hall designed this shirt for the Urban Native Youth Association. They are available in both adult and youth sizes, and all of the proceeds go to UNYA. The 2025 shirts are sold out, but watch this space for this year’s design! You can also check in store:

Make Vancouver Granville Island: 1648 Duranleau Street
Make Gastown: 140 Water Street

 

Woman wearing an orange shirt with a black design of a bear paw.

Chantelle Trainor-Matties’ Bear Paw Shirt ($5)

Chantelle Trainor-Matties’ Indigenous Bear Paw shirt symbolizes protection, support and love. The design shows an adult bear paw holding a bear cub’s paw.

 

A 24-hour crisis line to support residential school Survivors and their loved ones can be reached any time at 1-800-721-0066.

This story was updated June 26, 2026.

Bridget Stringer-Holden

Bridget Stringer-Holden