Her artist statement (see below) for her design is thoughtful and optimistic:
“What Orange Shirt Day is to me is a day for all citizens of Alberta and even Canada to remember the impacts of residential schools on our Aboriginal people and to promote reconciliation and healing within their communities as well as embracing First Nations Culture. In regards to my design, the dream-catcher within the child's eye represents how students at these schools dreamed of freedom and returning to their own culture, escaping the oppression of European settlers, and how the dream is slowly coming true with the assistance of reconciliation committees and awareness being spread. The beads on the dream-catcher are colors that represent healing (green), faith/happiness (red), and sharing (white); colors appropriate for renewing relations after so much suffering was endured."
An Orange Shirt Day event will be held on September 29, 2017 at the Edmonton City Hall, where Amy and her family will be in attendance. Read more at Safe & Caring Schools & Communities Orange Shirt Day 2017.
Additionally, the Orange Shirts, with Amy's logo design printed on them (unfortunately, due to budgetary reasons, her design is printed without colour on the t-shirts), are now available for purchase online (only $10) for Orange Shirt Day 2017 from the Orange Shirt Day Order Form.
To learn more about the origins of Orange Shirt Day, read about Phyllis’ story.