Nelson Fundraiser T-Shirts Support Indigenous Reconciliation

A small city in British Columbia is turning t-shirt sales into tangible support for Indigenous communities this September.

Nelson CARES Society launched a fundraising campaign selling orange shirts designed by local Indigenous artist Johnny Mukwa. Every dollar of profit goes directly to the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society (COINS), which supports Indigenous families across the West Kootenay region.

The shirts feature woodland-style artwork of an eagle carrying prayers between worlds. Mukwa calls it the Sun Path Prayer, representing the journey of truth, healing and reconciliation.

The timing connects to Canada's National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th. The federal holiday, observed since 2021, honors survivors of residential schools and remembers children who never came home.

"We are offering these shirts as an opportunity to honor survivors, remember those who never returned home and demonstrate our shared commitment to Truth and Reconciliation," the society stated on their website.

Executive coordinator Lynzee Bewcyk sees the $30 shirts as more than fundraising. She hopes they spark something deeper in her community.

"I hope it helps people not just acknowledge, but actually put into action and think about what they can do in their daily lives, community and even in their own thoughts and prayers," Bewcyk said.

The response has exceeded expectations. Community members have been stopping by the Hall Street office after seeing posters around town, and Bewcyk anticipates more sales as the recognition day approaches.

The Ripple Effect

This marks the first partnership between Nelson CARES and COINS, but Bewcyk says it won't be the last. The collaboration creates a simple path for non-Indigenous community members to support Indigenous-led work with their dollars and visibility.

By purchasing and wearing the shirts, residents participate in reconciliation while directly funding programs created by and for Indigenous peoples. It's a model that could easily spread to other communities across Canada.

"It shows commitment when you wear an orange t-shirt and that you are committed to the path," Bewcyk said.

The shirts remain available online and at the society's Nelson location through September.