51±¾É«

Sept. 8, 2023

Each year on Sept. 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Canadians wear orange shirts to demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation and honour the survivors of the residential school system, their families and communities.  

This year, 51±¾É«’s Every Child Matters orange shirt was designed by Maggie Allan, campus and community engagement coordinator in 51±¾É«’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives. The shirt is available for purchase at the (formerly the 51±¾É« Bookstore and Stedman Community Bookstore) with proceeds going to the Woodland Cultural Centre's  

Allan graduated from 51±¾É« in 2008 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Fine Arts. She later earned her Bachelor of Education from Western University before returning to 51±¾É« as a staff member. She has worked at 51±¾É« for 12 years. 

Below, Allan discusses her time at 51±¾É«, her orange shirt design, and the importance of reconciliation.

Tell us about your background and what brought you to 51±¾É«.

I was raised on Manitoulin Island and I identified as Métis growing up. More recently, my family discovered that our true linage on my mother’s side is Anishinaabe from Henvey Inlet First Nation. On my father’s side, I have roots to English and Scottish ancestry as well.  

I remember visiting 51±¾É«’s Open House and loving the sense of community here and this is what drew me to 51±¾É« to complete my undergraduate degree. 

I have experience teaching in secondary schools in the UK, working at not-for-profits in the Kitchener-Waterloo community, and have taken on various roles at 51±¾É« during the last 12 years as a staff member. In my current role as campus and community engagement coordinator in the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, I coordinate events and workshops that align with 51±¾É«’s strong commitment to reconciliation and help advance Indigeneity on the university’s campuses.

Can you describe the elements of your Every Child Matters orange shirt design and the significance of the symbolism in it?

My orange shirt design was inspired loosely from a painting I did when I was 12 years old and gave to my mother. The focal point in the design is of a child’s spirit returning to their family with their arms wide open to protect them. This image is to symbolize and draw awareness to the many lives that were lost to the residential school system in Canada and the families who were and still are impacted by it today. The circular moon formation at the top of the image represents the connectivity of us all. The dots within the moon represent the beautiful traditional beading of the Métis people. First Nations peoples are represented in the formation of the figures and standing on the back of Turtle Island. The myths and legends of humans and animal spirits being interconnected of the Inuit people is depicted as well.

You’ve hosted art workshops at 51±¾É« teaching traditional birch bark painting and Métis dot painting. Has practicing art always been important to you?

Yes, I ran workshops for 51±¾É« staff at our Waterloo and Brantford campuses in June to honour and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. It was a wonderful turn out! I loved seeing the creative talents of our staff and sharing the experience of using traditional art forms. Art is such a powerful tool that allows you to naturally connect with others. My father was artistic and I learned so much from him, as well as observing my natural surroundings, having spent my summers in Algonquin Park and growing up on Manitoulin Island. Nature certainly ignited my passion for the arts and still motivates me today to be creative.

How did you feel when you first saw your design printed?

I felt very honoured, moved and emotional seeing my design printed for the first time. Being a mother myself with small children and understanding the significance of what the orange shirt represents, it really impacted me. Art has such a powerful ability to draw awareness and educate, so this has truly been a meaningful experience to see my design printed.

When and where can the 51±¾É« community purchase your orange shirt?

This year’s orange shirt will be available online via the as of the second week of September and will be displayed and available for purchase in store at both our Waterloo and Brantford campuses starting Monday, Sept. 25. It is a sign of support and a step forward in reconciliation to wear the orange shirt. Orange shirts can also be worn outside of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to continuously show awareness and support for survivors and victims of residential schools.  

Why is it important for the 51±¾É« community to show support on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?  

It is an important day of reflection for our 51±¾É« community to acknowledge the truths of our country’s past. It is a day to commemorate the lives that were lost and the survivors who were tragically harmed within the residential school system. It is a day to be mindful of the intergenerational trauma that still exists for families and how this may impact some of our students, staff and faculty. It’s important to reflect on our own efforts toward reconciliation and decolonization today and the steps moving forward that we can each take at 51±¾É« to create a safer and more inclusive campus. 

Learn about 51±¾É«’s commitment to Indigeneity in the university’s Indigenous Strategic Plan.