Drawing for others

City Centre

Winnipeg

Those looking to participate in Orange Shirt Day — now recognized as National Day for Truth & Reconciliation — on Sept. 30, but unsure about where to purchase an orange shirt to show their solidarity, are being called upon to support a local artist and not-for-profit organization.

Rossbrook House is currently selling new orange shirts depicting art by 18-year-old Trinity Apetagon, who works at the 24/7 youth space located at 658 Ross Ave. The shirt design was inspired by the building and people who occupy it, she said, as well as what National Day for Truth & Reconciliation represents, at its core. All funds collected from the shirts will go towards supporting Rossbrook’s programming directed at supporting vulnerable children in the inner city.

“When I was creating it, I thought of Indigenous culture and how Indigenous culture is important with Rossbrook’s values,” Apetagon, who is Indigenous, said. “I actually got the Medicine Wheel symbol from this artwork that’s basically on the ceiling, hanging from it. They have the colors of the Medicine Wheel. And I put it in a heart to symbolize community and love.”

The design also depicts an Indigenous youth, which could be interpreted as a boy or a girl, as well as a survivor of residential schools, or even a youth attending Rossbrook, Apetagon said.

This isn’t the first artwork Apetagon has done for the non-profit, so creating a design for the shirts came naturally.

“I’ve done some art, like window painting, and I painted on the teepee they have (on-site),” the North End resident said.

“It definitely feels like good to create art for my workplace, especially when they use it and other people can see it, compared to, you know, me drawing for myself,” Apetagon said, adding that the window art she designed is right at the front of the building and she walks by it every time she clocks into work.

“I feel proud of it whenever I walk by it and look at it,” she said.

As someone whose family and colleagues at Rossbrook House were impacted by the displacement and mistreatment of Indigenous children in residential schools, as well as the trauma the schools inflicted on survivors and future generations, Apetagon acknowledged the importance of recognizing Indigenous culture and remembering what has been taken away.

“I think it’s really nice that we have a day dedicated to remembering that,” the University of Manitoba student said. “Because it wasn’t talked about back then, when it was actually happening. It wasn’t on the news or anything, not in the papers, when it was happening. I just think it’s nice that they are involving youths’ work in creating shirts for Orange Shirt Day, and I think it’s important that Indigenous Peoples’ work is supported, especially on that day.”

Shirts are $24 or $20 for youth. To learn more or purchase one, visit rossbrookhouse.ca/orange-t-shirts-2025