The recent discovery of a mass grave of 215 children at a Residential School in Kamloops, BC has affected all of us at Silver Icing. It created meaningful dialog amongst our team. It is important to recognize the trauma felt by First Nations Peoples. Now is the time for acknowledgement, recognition and healing. In an effort to bring awareness to the Canadian people about our true history, we have created a t-shirt fundraiser. The efforts of this campaign will raise funds in support of the Legacy of Hope Foundation. A national Indigenous charitable organization with the mandate to educate and create awareness and understanding about the Residential School System.
Titled the “Forget-Me-Not-Tee”, this powerful design was born out of meaningful conversation and collaboration amongst our team and in consultation with the First Nations Community. Designed by Head Office Team Member, Tsimshian artist, Tonia Lenk, the Forget-Me-Not Tee features two facing hummingbirds in flight surrounded by a bed of 215 forget-me-not flowers in the shape of a heart. This pair of hummingbirds deliver the gentle message of beauty, peace and love, drawing our attention to the Forget-Me-Not flower they share. Above the hummingbirds are the mother butterfly and her two children inspired in collaboration with Chief Harvey McLeod of the Upper Nicola Band from the Sylix Okanogan Nation. First Nations designs hold meaning, and this stylized design is especially so.
The Adult Forget-Me-Not Tee will sell for $34.95 and the Kids Forget-Me-Not Tee will sell for $24.95. This tee will Presale on Monday, June 21st – National Indigenous Peoples Day.
*100% of net proceeds will be donated to the Legacy Of Hope Foundation.
Our diverse team at Silver Icing includes Allison McLeod, in-house model & Customer Experience team member, Tim Lansall, Warehouse & Logistics Manager, and Tonia Lenk, Documentation Manager, all Indigenous.
Allison McLeod has close connection to the horrific events that were uncovered in Kamloops. Her father, Chief Harvey McLeod of the Upper Nicola Band from the Sylix Okanogan Nation has been consulted and incorporated in the planning and design of this Spotlight and our Forget-Me-Not Tee. Chief Harvey attended the Residential School in Kamloops where the remains of 215 children were found.
The butterflies represent transformation from our past and into our future. We all go through this as human beings – as individuals. Transformation brings beauty and freedom. Accept this transformation. Accept this new life. Allow ourselves to grow. Allow ourselves to fly. Allow ourselves to live our passions. – Chief Harvey McLeod
“My family has been impacted as my mother, aunts and uncles are all survivors of the residential school system. The trauma to these children is deep that it took many years before they finally spoke. It took a class-action lawsuit to bring this to light. History was hidden. Recent events have opened up old wounds, healing needs to happen. It starts with compassion, understanding and acknowledging our past.” – Tim Lansall
“The stylized Forget-Me-Not flower is used to symbolize remembrance, either from a parting or loss. It can also be used to symbolize a connection that endures all challenges and measures of time. 215 flowers were incorporated into this design to remember our lost children. The heart is our love for all of them. The butterflies have a dual meaning. The imagery touches the bond between a mother and her children, and their flight signifies the past, present and future path so that we may do better, be better, and remember that Every Child Matters, and it is time for meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.” – Tonia Lenk
We encourage everyone to take the time to learn about the hidden history of Canada. It is only after we educate ourselves that true understanding, healing and reconciliation can begin.
*Net Proceeds are calculated as Gross Proceeds minus Costs.
Gross Proceeds Include: The total sum of all payments by customers, less taxes and bank processing fees (TD merchant charges, Visa, and Mastercard which amounts to about 2.5% of each payment).
Costs Include:
1) The landed cost after shipping and duties of the blank T-Shirts
2) The cost of screen printing (this could be somewhat variable depending on run-size and supplier)
3) Sales costs, which will only include third party costs associated with the promotion and distribution of the products, Specifically, this will NOT include any profit for Silver Icing and/or any salary or overhead costs for Silver Icing executives and managers.
4) Order assembly and shipping costs
Additional Educational Resources:
University of Alberta, free online course; Indigenous Canada
We Were Children, 2012 Canadian documentary film about the experiences of First Nations children in the Canadian Indian residential school system
