The Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) at the University of Toronto is pleased to announce the winner of its Orange Shirt Day 2023 Design Contest. MJ Singleton, an Ojibwe, two-spirit student from Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation, created the selected design, which will be sold at the U of T Bookstore.
“My submission, noojimo’iwe, emphasizes the importance of being able to heal the trauma of residential school by supporting and loving those around you,” explains Singleton.
Singleton is a second-year student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, currently completing a double-major in Psychology and Criminology, Law and Society.
“As a third-generation residential school survivor, my goal in life is to work with other Indigenous people to address the importance of understanding intergenerational trauma,” they say.
In their spare time, Singleton enjoys beading, sewing, drawing, and dancing. “I am proud of my Anishnaabe background and continue to partake in my culture,” they say. “I love dancing in my regalia and feel strong when I do.”
U of T community members are encouraged to purchase shirts well in advance of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th). Unisex adult and youth-sized shirts will be available online and in-store at the U of T Bookstore beginning in May. The shirts will retail for $21.99, and $10 from each shirt will be directed to the Orange Shirt Day Society. No proceeds will be collected by the U of T Bookstore or the University.
For any teams, departments or Faculties who wish to purchase in bulk, the Bookstore is now accepting pre-orders at customorders@uoftbookstore.com.