Orange Shirt Day Artwork

Resilience is a deconstructed Haida form line design with a mother eagle preserving its juvenile eagle. This design was created for Orange Shirt Day by Haida artist Michael Bellis. https://michaelbellis.com/

In Haida tradition the eagle symbolizes strength, focus and is the most powerful of all birds. The eagle feather brings good luck and honour when gifted and worn.

The Alberta government is committed to walking the path of reconciliation together with Indigenous peoples, and commemorating the tragic and painful history and on-going impacts of residential schools is a vital component of this process. As unmarked graves of former residential school students continue to be discovered across Canada, we must acknowledge the truth of our shared history. Reconciliation-related initiatives in our schools and communities can help Albertans recognize the painful legacy of residential schools and understand how we can come together to offer a better future for all.