Orange Shirt Day T-shirt Artwork Commission
Overview
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) Indigenous Space and Visual Symbols in the Health Sciences Committee invites local Indigenous (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) artists to declare interest in the annual Orange Shirt Day t-shirt artwork commission.
The commission is for original artwork created as a physical painting or digital artwork and is produced in recognition of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30), with each year's artwork reflecting the artist's own voice, experience and artistic practice.
This page also includes separate information for Indigenous artists interested in proposing handcrafted items for possible retail consideration through Shop USask. The handcrafted items opportunity is independent of the t-shirt artwork commission and uses a different submission process.
Proceeds from Orange Shirt Day merchandise are directed to a fund that contributes to the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, with a portion allocated to the commissioned artist.
Shortlisted artists will be asked to complete the Indigenous membership or citizenship verification under the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth Policy.
Compensation
- $1,500 commission, paid once final artwork is approved
- 15 per cent royalty on the retail price of each shirt sold featuring the artwork
- The artwork may be used by the university to promote Orange Shirt Day shirts (any use outside Orange Shirt Day materials requires the artist's permission and is licensed at the same royalty rate)
How to enter the call
Who can apply
Indigenous artists (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) at any stage - emerging or established - are welcome to declare interest in the Orange Shirt Day t-shirt artwork commission. Past applicants are encouraged to apply again.
Deadline to declare interest
Friday, April 10, 2026
What to submit
Artists declare interest in the t-shirt artwork commission by completing the declaration of interest form and submitting:
- a concept, and
- work samples that represent their artistic practice
A concept may be brief or fully developed and may describe an intended message, story, visuals or approach. Finished artwork is not required at this stage.
Work samples help the review committee understand the artist's practice and how the concept might be realized for the t-shirt artwork.
Artists at all stages are welcome; early-stage concepts are accepted.
Declare your interest:
https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/usask-osd-2026
What the commission involves
The selected artist will develop the approved concept into the official artwork for the 2026 Orange Shirt Day t-shirt at USask.
The commission supports the university community in acknowledging the truths of the Canadian residential school system and honours Indigenous strength, resilience, and the responsibility to remember, learn and act. Through this work, Indigenous artists contribute their own voices and perspectives to how the university community and the public engage with the truth and lasting impacts of residential schools, supporting ongoing learning and reflection within the university and broader community.
The artwork becomes part of a visible, public expression of remembrance and learning, worn and shared across the community each year, while reflecting the artist's own approach and artistic practice.
EVERY CHILD MATTERS is a trademark owned by Orange Shirt Society and will be used under license.
The completed artwork is due June 5, 2026.
For this commission, physical paintings are created at approximately 18" x 24", and digital artwork is printed within a finished area of about 12" wide x 14" high and supplied as a vector .AI or .EPS file.
The Commission specifications for Orange Shirt Day t shirt artwork at USask explain how artwork is prepared for printing on a garment, including artwork size, digitizing paintings, colour separation, and how composition and backgrounds affect reproduction.
Garment printing requires the ability to separate colours. Some digital programs export flattened files, which can limit colour separation. The guide explains how artwork can be prepared - or how paintings can be digitized - so the final piece prints clearly while respecting the artist's intent.
If an artwork includes a detailed background or a wide rectangular composition, the guide's visual examples show how artwork may sit within the shirt's print area and how certain choices can affect cropping or background treatment. This information is provided so artists can make decisions that best reflect their intent.
Read the commission specifications guide:
Commission specifications for Orange Shirt Day t shirt artwork at USask
Chris Chipak, 2025
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"This artwork was created to support the University of Saskatchewan community in honouring the Indigenous population who were impacted by the Canadian residential school system. As an Indigenous artist and educator, I wanted to offer a fresh visual narrative ... to create something new, meaningful, and rooted in our community. The shell of the image is a husky pup, representing strength, resilience and community, while the younger husky reflects the innocence of a child. Within the husky pup is an image of a mother holding her child, representing nurturing, protection and care ... Surrounding them are Saskatoon berries, grounding the artwork in place and acknowledging Treaty 6 territory. I wanted this piece to be simple in its composition, yet layered with meaning, inviting reflection on cultural continuity, care, and truth and reconciliation." - Chris Chipak |
James Desjarlais, 2024
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"This digitally created piece called 'Turtle's Protection' is circular in shape, much like Mother Earth and the Medicine wheel. Cradled inside of a turtle shell, a baby lies sleeping - blanketed and protected by Mother Earth's flora. The turtle shell and moss bag represent the protection, love, security, and truth that our children need today. Above is Mother Earth, arching over the child and the shell; her nature is the final barrier of protection that each precious child deserves. Seven small and simple stars float above the child and within the circle. The stars are representative of seven generations of descendants. This concept is important to the continued survival of the nehiyaw, as leaders and chiefs would need to think about the effects and consequences of their actions seven generations ahead." - James Desjarlais |
Vanessa Hyggen, 2023
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“Some of my favourite childhood memories are of being out on the land, playing with my cousins - being free and unencumbered as childhood should be. This painting represents that feeling of love and safety. The Cree syllabics say kakithaw awâsisak sâkihâwak, meaning every child is loved. The sweetgrass shelters the children and represents not only the teachings of sweetgrass, but also our living culture and medicines, which bring healing and goodness." - Vanessa Hyggen |
These examples are shared for context only. Concepts for the 2026 commission may take many forms, styles or approaches.
Indigenous membership or citizenship verification
Shortlisted artists will complete verification of Indigenous membership or citizenship under the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth Policy.
Verification details and instructions are available at:
https://indigenous.usask.ca/indigenous-initiatives/deybwewin-taapwaywin-tapwewin.php
Only Indigenous candidates are considered for this commission. Verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation is a condition of receiving the commission.
The University of Saskatchewan is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and is proud to support academic opportunities for Indigenous students. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspectives that Indigenous students, staff, and faculty provide to strengthen these relationships.
Verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth Policy and standing committee in accordance with the process developed to enact the policy.
Shortlisted artists who have declared interest in this commission will be contacted once selected by the review committee and asked to verify Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation before this commission will be awarded.
To preview or access the verification system, please visit https://indigenous.usask.ca/indigenous-initiatives/deybwewin-taapwaywin-tapwewin.php.
NOTE: Applicants with a USask username (called the Network Services Identifier or NSID) can upload their documentation via a secure portal on PAWS. Applicants external to USask can send documentation to indigenoustruthpolicy@usask.ca with a brief outline as to the purpose of sending in their information (e.g., declaring interest in the 2025 Call for Artists to create artwork for Orange Shirt Day). Documentation is not to be submitted outside of the portal or recommended email address for this Call for Artists.
Handcrafted items (Optional)
Indigenous artists may also express interest in sharing handcrafted items for possible retail consideration through Shop USask.
This opportunity is separate from the Orange Shirt Day t-shirt artwork commission. Artists may be interested in one opportunity, the other, or both.
Proposals for handcrafted items are not collected through the declaration of interest form.
Artists interested in learning more about proposing handcrafted items are invited to contact christine.smith@usask.ca.
There is no deadline for expressing interest in creating handcrafted items.
Contact
Questions about the t-shirt artwork commission or the technical requirements guide:
collin.semenoff@usask.ca
Questions about proposing handcrafted items for sale through Shop USask:
christine.smith@usask.ca
Questions about Indigenous membership or citizenship verification:
indigenoustruthpolicy@usask.ca