Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Special Olympics Alberta reflects on the legacy of residential schools, honours the survivors, and acknowledges the Indigenous peoples who have cared for the land we now settle on. We are committed to inclusion not just in sport, but in community, education, and understanding.
This year, to recognize and honour this important day, we invited Alberta athletes to submit designs for our 2025 Orange Shirt. The creativity and thoughtfulness that went into each submission was inspiring, and we’re proud to showcase the work of our athletes who used their voices and talents to support truth and reconciliation.
2025 Orange Shirt Day Design
The design selected for this year’s orange shirt was created by Dylan Tracey, a proud Métis athlete from Lloydminster. When asked about what inspired his artwork, Dylan shared:
“I was sitting around my dinner table with my grandparents thinking about some ideas of what I should draw. A crow landed on our front lawn and my grandpa noticed the crow and told me to draw something with the crow feathers.”
Dylan’s design beautifully represents the strength of tradition, family, and the importance of remembering. His work reminds us that reconciliation begins with listening, learning, and creating space for the stories and experiences of Indigenous people.
We also want to recognize the meaningful designs submitted by other Special Olympics Alberta athletes, each offering a powerful message of remembrance and unity:
Shannon Erickson
Orange Shirt Design
Shannon Erickson's Design
“The meaning behind this drawing—I drew the angel wings orange to represent the children whose lives were lost that day. Even though it was a dark day, the children are now in the light, and we should never forget the children or what happened. We all belong together no matter the colour or race.”
Shannon’s artwork honours the lost children with grace and compassion, reminding us all of the healing power of remembrance.
Linda McDonald
Orange Shirt Design
Linda McDonald's Design
“The wings in this design are all the children of the past, and the wolves in the middle are a mother wolf kissing her child goodbye. The reason I made this design is because we all need to know and remember what happened, help make sure it doesn’t repeat, and show that everyone is equal no matter what their background is.”
Linda’s emotional and symbolic design reminds us of the pain families endured and the importance of never forgetting our shared history.
Peter Arsenault
Orange Shirt Design
Peter Arsenault's Design
“We grew up in the county next to a First Nations reservation, and I was often invited to play baseball with them and had gone to many of their powwows—hence the idea of the ceremonial drum. I remembered seeing many handmade dreamcatchers there, so I thought of using a dreamcatcher. Then the words ‘Catch the Dream’ came to me.”
Peter’s design bridges friendship and respect, celebrating shared experiences and the cultural beauty he was welcomed into.
We are incredibly proud of all the athletes who participated and shared their perspectives through their art. At Special Olympics Alberta, our mission of inclusion means learning from one another and building a future where everyone belongs—on and off the field.
🧡 Every Child Matters. 🧡
To learn more about our commitment to reconciliation, visit this webpage: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Special Olympics Alberta