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Orange Shirts at Dellelce Family Bookstore
September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which started as Orange Shirt Day, a time for learning, reflection, and honouring Survivors, their families and the children who never returned home from residential schools across Canada. By wearing an orange shirt on September 30, you make a statement to support truth and reconciliation.
In September 2025, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives launched a call for a new Orange Shirt design to support the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation's Save the Barn Campaign. Kolbi Williams’ design was selected as the featured Orange Shirt design, now available through the Dellelce Family Bookstore.
Save the Barn Campaign
The Save the Barn Campaign is an initiative led by Chippewas of the Thames First Nation’s Culture, Language & Heritage Department to preserve the last remaining structure from the former Mount Elgin Residential School. The campaign aims to transform the historic barn into an interpretive centre that will educate visitors about the local history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. The barn contains carvings left by former students, making it an important historical and cultural site.
Learn more about the remaining building and the efforts to preserve the history of the Mount Elgin Residential School:
Design: Tewa:aráton and Its Creations (2025)
The Story of Lacrosse, told by Kolbi Williams
The chosen design represents a Haudenosaunee creation story of lacrosse, which teaches that every creature has a purpose and an important role within Creation.
The design features two groups of animals: the four-legged animals and the two-legged animals. The four-legged animals are represented by the deer, the turtle, and the bear. The captains of the two-legged animals are the owl, the falcon, and the eagle.
The two animals at the top are the flying squirrel and the bat.
Before the game, the mouse and the squirrel approached the leaders of the two-legged animals and asked to join their team. When asked why they did not join the four-legged animals, they explained that they had been mocked and considered unworthy because of their small size.
The birds took pity on them and transformed them into winged creatures. They fashioned leather wings for the mouse and stretched the squirrel's skin, creating the bat and the flying squirrel.
With the teams confirmed, the game could begin.
The four-legged animals appeared faster and stronger, but the game was won thanks to the bat and flying squirrel.
The story teaches that everyone possesses unique strengths and qualities that are invaluable when the time is right. You must never judge a person based on their appearance.
This design was chosen for this line of orange shirts because it reflects the belief that every person has gifts to offer and that no individual or group is more worthy than another.
Like the teachings at the heart of Orange Shirt Day, the story reminds us of the harm caused by exclusion, discrimination, and the belief that some people are more important than others. It challenges us to recognize the inherent worth, dignity, and potential of every child, family, and community, and to foster a world where everyone is valued, respected, and able to thrive.
Artist: Kolbi Williams
Kolbi Williams is a member of the Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation. She is entering her fourth year at Western, pursuing a major in English and a minor in Creative Writing.
Her passion for lacrosse has led her to play on the Zimbabwe Heritage National Lacrosse team, and previously on the Western Mustangs Varsity Lacrosse team. As a former Research Fellow with the Head & Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship, she was inspired to explore inequities in sport, with a particular focus on lacrosse.
A dedicated and creative artist, Kolbi can often be found beading, sewing, and helping others express themselves through a variety of creative mediums.
Support the Save the Barn Campaign
Purchase the featured Orange Shirt and additional merchandise through the Dellelce Family Bookstore. All proceeds support the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation’s Save the Barn Campaign and the preservation of the history of the former Mount Elgin Residential School.