New Orange Shirt Day artwork by Dawson Visual Arts student
Shayla Chlo毛 Oroho:te Etienne, a student in Visual Arts at Dawson, created “Remember me,” an artistic image to be used on t-shirts created for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and for promoting related events at Dawson. The Communications Office did a brief Q & A with Shayla.
- Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi my name is Shayla Chlo毛 Oroho:te etienne, I’m 20 years old and I’m Kanien’keh谩:ka from Kanesatake. I’m in my second year of Visual Arts but I did Journeys my first year so this is my third year at Dawson.
2. Tell us about this artwork you created for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Dawson.
I created this digital artwork for Orange Shirt Day because I find most shirts don’t have deep symbolism and meaning so I wanted to make my own design that hit deep and went with the movement. I was inspired by the traditional Mohawk corn husk doll because it was used by children during and before residential schools while also being used in ceremonies and as medicine (spiritual). The bloody hand print represents MMIWG and the victims of residential schools.
3. Tell us about yourself as an artist.
I’ve been into art since I was six years old, I only really got into art as a teen and improved my skills since then. I use mostly acrylic paints, graphite, charcoal and watercolours. Nowadays my love for landscapes and my grief for the loss of my brother inspires most of my paintings, as a way to cope and spread awareness.
4. What are your hopes for the future and your hopes for this country to work toward truth and reconciliation?
I hope we can work towards a better future for equality and justice for everything that happened to us and is still happening to this day. Oil and water in most reserves is a big issue and also inflation, which is a huge problem today. We still haven’t gone through all the residential schools for more unmarked graves because society doesn’t care anymore unfortunately. I want them home and with their families once again.
