LE ESTCWICWÉY̓ (“THE MISSING”)
My name is Ashley Michel and I am Secwépemc from Tk'emlúps Indian Band. My Grandmothers, Charlotte Manuel & (the late) Flora Sampson, are survivors. They inherently give me the strength & courage to advocate for proper Indigenous representation & to continue learning our Language/Culture not just for me, but for my daughter & future generations to come.
The missing are our Indigenous Children who were forcefully taken to Residential Schools & never returned home - including MMIWG2S, those lost in the foster care system, those taken during birth alerts, & those who have went & are still going missing TO THIS DAY. This isn't an issue in our past - it is still ongoing.
With this design, I aim to honour our ancestors, Residential school survivors, Day School survivors, as well as all those who did not make it home.
I will no longer tolerate excuses for having NO Indigenous representation (in curriculum, in schools/universities, in workplaces, etc). "I'm scared. I'm uncomfortable. I'm not educated enough". Indigenous people have to walk in two worlds EVERY DAY. So you can make time to access the thousands of FREE resources out there. Read the 94 calls to action & see how you can implement them into your life, your workplace, your school. You just have to be willing to DO YOUR OWN WORK IN EDUCATING YOURSELF. 🧡
Participate in local community events. Involve elders. Follow Indigenous creators, artist, & businesses & share our content. Learn about the Indian Act, Foster Care, Birth Alerts, MMIWGT2S, clean water crisis, land back, suicide & mental health rates, extinct/endangered languages & Residential Schools.
...& remember to take care of yourself. Facing the truth of Canadas History is not easy. 🧡
Kukwstsétsemc (thank you) if you have read this far. 🧡
*Art by Ashley Michel. I do NOT give my permission to use this design for any form of profit but please share if you want*.
Profits from this T-shirt will be donated to IRSSS (Indian Residential School Survivors Society & my home community of Tk'emlúps te Secwepemc 215+).
Unisex fit.
*Please follow washing instructions.
1. Wash/Dry inside out
2. Low heat or lay flat to dry
3. Choose cold water only