Observed annually on Sept. 30, Orange Shirt Day is a time for reflection, learning, and remembrance. It invites Canadians to confront the legacy of residential schools and engage in meaningful conversations about reconciliation. This year, USask is marking the day with a design that speaks to themes of family, protection, and cultural continuity — values that resonate deeply within Indigenous communities.

Chris Chipak, a member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation and a USask Bachelor of Education graduate, is known for his bold, story-driven artwork rooted in Indigenous teachings and Treaty 6 Territory. He previously collaborated with USask in 2023 to create a special rendition of the Huskie logo, incorporating Indigenous symbolism to support the university’s reconciliation efforts and honour Residential School Survivors.

His 2025 Orange Shirt Day design reflects a deliberate departure from the imagery often seen on orange shirts, such as handprints, florals, and butterflies. Instead, he chose to challenge himself artistically and focus on authenticity.

"We were once all children. I hope we all see [this design] as a visual reminder that every child matters, and we are all connected.”

“I wanted this design to be different and more deeply rooted in our community,” said Chipak. “I also wanted to focus on being authentic and stay away from trends.”

At the heart of the design is a husky pup — a softer, more vulnerable interpretation of the familiar Huskie logo seen throughout the decades. “This added the visual of growth and nurturing,” Chipak said.

Surrounding the pup are elements that reflect Indigenous teachings, including the sun and Saskatoon berries. “The family ties and the connection of all living things are visually represented, all surrounded by the sun,” he said. “It allows viewers to see that we are all connected.”

The berries, he explained, “represent our territory and symbolize growth, resilience, and sustenance.”

Chipak’s personal journey also informs his work. “I struggled when I moved from Red Pheasant to Saskatoon,” he said. “It was a culture shock, and my art classes were the only reason I made it through my first couple of years at university.”

His early university experience played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic voice. While adjusting to life in Saskatoon, he found grounding and inspiration through his art classes at USask. One course in particular — focused on the Indigenous Group of Seven — became a turning point. This influential collective of Indigenous artists, active in the 1970s, challenged mainstream perceptions of Indigenous art and helped establish it as a vital part of Canada’s contemporary art scene. Their legacy sparked Chipak’s own journey into visual storytelling, encouraging him to explore themes of identity, resilience, and cultural continuity through his work.

He views each project as a meaningful step in his personal and professional journey. “I take every project as an opportunity to grow — for myself and the community involved,” he said. “I am very fortunate to have worked with the organizations I have, and from that, I have gained extended family.”

As both an artist and educator, Chipak sees visual storytelling as a powerful teaching tool. “When I teach a math concept like multiplication, I use different strategies to find the sum of two numbers, because we all learn differently,” he said. “In art, viewers need different ways to see the story you’re trying to convey, so revisiting your work — or using a new visual concept — allows that same process to occur.”

For young Indigenous artists, his advice is simple: “Be authentic, be a lifelong learner, share your stories, and always create.”

Chipak hopes the USask community — from first-year students to alumni — will find a personal connection to the design. “We were once all children,” he said. “I hope we all see it as a visual reminder that every child matters, and we are all connected.”

In 2019, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Indigenous Space and Visual Symbols in the Health Sciences Committee began working with Shop USask to co-ordinate the sale of non-college-specific orange shirts to help the campus community recognize Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30.

To date, orange shirt proceeds totalling over $49,000 have been directed toward a fund supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action with a portion of proceeds also being directed toward the artist.

This year, shirts featuring a design by Chris Chipak will be available through Shop USask beginning Monday, July 14.

To order an orange shirt from Shop USask, visit https://shop.usask.ca/orange-shirt-day

 The University of Saskatchewan continues to advance its commitments to Truth and Reconciliation through ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan, the Indigenous strategy for the University of Saskatchewan. This strategy guides the institution in respectfully engaging with Indigenous worldviews, supporting decolonization, and uplifting Indigenization across all areas of university life.

The following resources are available to support learning, reflection, and continued engagement with the history and ongoing impacts of the Canadian residential school system, Orange Shirt Day, and the broader context of Truth and Reconciliation: