‘Stronger together’: Health Sciences student designs Every Child Matters t-shirt

Ethan Michalenko, a Métis student and undergraduate in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Program, designed the Every Child Matters t-shirt being sold at the McMaster Campus Store this year ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

All proceeds from each shirt sold will be donated to the Survivors’ Secretariat and Indigenous student support programs on campus.

Ethan shared his inspiration for the design:

“I am very excited and honoured to have my design chosen. For me, it is an opportunity to remind others about the importance of Truth and Reconciliation, and I drew this design with the intent of reminding others that there have been so many people impacted by residential schools.

The main inspiration behind my Every Child Matters t-shirt was the element of inclusivity. I wanted to show that the Indigenous people of Canada are stronger together as we build a future for ourselves and honour those who were impacted by residential schools.

When designing the T-shirt, I wanted to have an element to represent each of the three Indigenous Peoples of Canada.

The artwork displayed in ‘Every’ is supposed to represent First Nations people, the artwork displayed in ‘Child’ is supposed to represent Métis people, and the artwork displayed in ‘Matters’ is supposed to represent Inuit people.

I am honoured that the Indigenous community on campus has selected my design to help spread this message. I hope that when people see my design on an orange shirt, they will feel that although First Nations, Métis and Inuit people are three distinct people, we are stronger together.” — Ethan Michalenko