Coast Salish artist Noel Brown created a new t-shirt design for this year's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation prominently featuring the orca.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, was first made a statutory holiday in 2021. Each year since then, Brown has created a different orange shirt design to mark the occasion.
"The killer whale takes care of us at sea, because we're beside the sea and he protects us on land too, he turns into a wolf and comes out," Brown said. "He teaches us to be strong and [teaches] family values."
A renowned artist and master carver, Brown's pieces are displayed throughout the city, and some of his best known work includes the 49-foot-tall welcome totem pole at Maffeo Sutton Park and the totem pole at Nanaimo's Fire Station No. 1. Part of the welcome pole became the design for the first orange shirt he designed in 2021. Some of his other carvings are on display at the Nanaimo Museum, Vancouver Island University, B.C. Ferries' Departure Bay terminal, and the Nanaimo cruise ship terminal.
"I've been drawing since I was in elementary school. I was kicked out of school for drawing, and now I get paid to do it," he said.
Brown explained the process of designing the orca for this year's shirt.
"You see it in your head and try to put it on the paper and then you go, 'I want to change this little part, I want to move this…'" he said. "If it's right, it'll flow quick and be easy."
For a message to get out on Orange Shirt Day, Brown said he would like everyone to appreciate the land and all creatures, and just get along.
The t-shirts can be purchased at Beban Park, Bowen Park, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Nanaimo Ice Centre and Oliver Woods Community Centre for $10, which covers the cost of the shirt and screening.
