Posted on: August 7, 2024
Island Health is proud to announce a partnership with Nuu-chah-nulth artist Joslyn Charlie, of the Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw nations, to create an original Island Health Orange Shirt in time for September 30, 2024. With Joslyn's guidance and talent, and the invaluable support of the Indigenous Health, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team, the Island Health Orange Shirt has moved from concept to reality and is officially available to purchase for all Island Health staff and medical staff.
The Inspiration and Design
Orange Shirt Day, or the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is observed annually on September 30th as an opportunity to listen, learn and reflect as an act of reconciliation. The movement began in BC, in 2013, with founder Phyllis Webstad, who is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band).
As a health authority, Island Health acknowledges the vital role we must play in addressing systemic racism and health disparities, providing culturally appropriate care, and improving the lives and health experiences of all Indigenous patients, families and staff that we serve.
“Wearing an orange shirt is a way to acknowledge the impact of Residential Schools, including honouring those who did not survive; it is also a way to celebrate the resilience of those who did survive and those who are healing themselves and their families and communities for generations to come. I am thrilled to be involved in the creation of an Island Health orange shirt in collaboration with Indigenous artist, Joslyn Charlie. Wearing her artwork honours and amplifies authentic voices, which helps foster meaningful connections based on solidarity and understanding."
- Sekwan Wabasca, Manager of Cultural Safety and Humility with the Indigenous Health, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team
Watch Joslyn share the process and meaning behind her work:
Joslyn Charlie on her 2024 Orange Shirt Day Design from Island Health on Vimeo.
“I raise my hands up in gratitude to the artist Joslyn Charlie for her beautiful work and dedication to the design of this shirt, and to all the team who helped support the creation of this video. This is an important collaboration and partnership, and a meaningful step towards reconciliation. It is important in honour of Orange Shirt Day, and every day, that we never forget the impacts of residential school and continue to try and repair the harms done on the path towards addressing Indigenous-specific racism in health care. Kleco Kleco."
- Dawn Thomas, Vice President of Indigenous Health & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Get Your Shirt
The 2024 Orange Shirt is the first product available for purchase through the new Island Health Store!
To obtain an Orange Shirt, click on the webpage image below and you will be automatically redirected to the Island Health Store:
To learn how to pronounce the phrase on the Orange Shirt, visit: FirstVoices
Please place your order as soon as possible to ensure delivery before September 30, 2024. Depending on your location, orders can take 1-2 weeks to process and ship. The Island Health Orange Shirt is priced to cover production costs and store overhead only. No profits are made on this item.
As the Island Health Store grows and evolves in the coming months, more exciting items and donation capabilities will be added. Want to be the first in the know for new product drops? Sign up for the Store Newsletter when you visit the Island Health Store website!
While public accessibility is a future goal, the Island Health Store is currently available for Island Health staff and medical staff only. Please note that, at this time, access to the Store requires an islandhealth.ca email address. A password is not needed. Instead, after submitting your email address, you will immediately receive a six-digit login code via email.
How-to-use instructions and FAQs are available online. Your feedback is critical to helping us continually improve the store. Please email store@islandhealth.ca to share your thoughts or ask questions.
For a pronounciation guide of BC First Nations, explore:
a_guide_to_pronunciation_of_bc_first_nations_-_oct_29_2018.pdf