New Orange Shirt Design Now Available!
Congratulations to Brooklyn Lewis, the Winner of our 2026 Orange Shirt Design Contest!
My name is Brooklyn, known by creation as Kaataan Aandeg (Soaring Crow). I am a 22 year old Ojibwe kwe from Durham Region with ancestral roots tied to Batchewana First Nation. I am a self-taught artist specializing in portraits and human-centric subjects.
The theme that guided me while creating this piece was “Honouring the Lost, Protecting the Future”.
I chose a circular composition to symbolize the continuity of time, tradition, and life. The human-centric imagery, as well as the rising sun and setting moon, represents those who came before us and the future generations.
The figure on the left wears a braid that also represents sweetgrass. In my teachings, sweetgrass is a medicine of healing. The Residential School system left deep and lasting wounds that continue to impact Indigenous peoples across generations. Through medicine, tradition, and walking forward in a good way, we honour everyone – past and present – who face the legacy of Residential Schools in hopes of healing.
Finally, I included a feather to represent the path each of us walks. Our past, present, and future make us who we are and we must honour every part.
Together, these elements illustrate resilience, remembrance, and the shared responsibility of carrying our teachings forward while creating a brighter future for those who follow.
Adult: S, M, L, XL , XXL (2X), XXXL (3X)
Youth: S, M
Proceeds support Bawaajigewin’s cultural programming for the urban Indigenous community in Durham Region.
