T-shirt design unveiled for 2021 Truth and Reconciliation in Lethbridge

Holy Singer’s shirt design features First Nation, Métis and Inuit symbolism. She said the overall significance of the design “weaves the education journey for Blackfoot students and resiliency through the past, present and future.”

In a release from the city, Holy Singer stated, “education is our new buffalo – our new resource for survival.”

“We can learn from our past, to understand our present in order to guide the future as we continue to dismantle previous teachings that were put in place to remove our identity. With our education, we can continue to remove these teachings by replacing them with the knowledge inherently passed down from our ancestors and implementing them into our current systems.”

Holy Singer previously designed shirts for the city and the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee.

“I knew I was going to come up with a design that contributes to the perspective of what it means to be an Indigenous student in post-secondary. I personally know the impacts that residential schools have within my own family.”

She commented on the discovery of unmarked graves at the sites of many former residential schools in Canada this year, noting that brought up memories of what her mother had told her about her experiences in residential schools.

“These recoveries triggered a lot of sadness and anger that I felt for not only my late mother, but for our people who had suffered from this act of genocide. These children were our relatives. They were our ancestors whose stories were never told and are now being let free where they can finally come home.”

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is the same day as Orange Shirt Day on September 30. Orange Shirt Day grew from the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose orange shirt was taken from her at the age of six when she arrived at St. Joseph Mission residential school. Her story helped create an opportunity for discussions on the aspects and experiences of residential school survivors and victims.

Perry Stein, Lethbridge’s Indigenous Relations Advisor said, “the City of Lethbridge is really excited to be able to partner with the University of Lethbridge to showcase the work, voice and knowledge of Chataya Holy Singer, and through it, encourage community members to learn more about the legacy of residential schools in Canada.”

“The process of Truth and Reconciliation requires us to build strong bridges and partnerships. Working with the University on this important initiative, helps us to show up as one, unified community.”

T-shirts are available at the University of Lethbridge Bookstore for $15.99, with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to Indigenous student initiatives at the U of L. The City of Lethbridge is also making the shirts available through different community partners, including the Lethbridge Public Library.

The U of L has a number of events planned during the week of September 27 to allow members of the campus community the opportunity to reflect on the multigenerational impacts of residential schools.

The City of Lethbridge, Reconciliation Lethbridge and community partners are also planning a series of educational and awareness raising events throughout the rest of this month.

More information on the city’s reconciliation efforts is available here.

by Justin Goulet

T-shirt design unveiled for 2021 Truth and Reconciliation in Lethbridge

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