Winnipeg artist chosen for Walmart Canadas 2025 National Orange Shirt Day Campaign
Posted September 19, 2025 5:08 pm.
This orange shirt tells a story. It’s the work of a Winnipeg artist whose design is now being shared in Walmart’s across the country for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, here in Manitoba.
Brooklyn Rudolph-Nicholas is a multi-award-winning Swampy Cree artist and a proud member of Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Her design was chosen for Walmart’s 2025 campaign, with every shirt sold raising money for the Orange Shirt Society and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
“It means a lot as a descendant myself and my family, so I am hoping this year we can get as many orange shirts out as possible,” said Rudolph-Nicholas.
“It was beautiful because it is embedded in culture, teachings, both my late grandparents who are residential school survivors, and being a descendant myself, it holds a lot of meaning, and I am very honoured.”
The artwork is deeply personal. The two children at the centre represent her grandparents, both survivors of the Residential School system, and all children impacted. Their joined hands symbolize unity and resilience, while above them, an eagle represents love, while the North Star, known in Cree as Keewatin, the Going Home Star, shines as a guide home.
“It means so much because it’s not just my story or my family’s story; this is the truth of what happened to many Indigenous families and survivors across the country, and I just really want to honor them,” said Rudolph-Nicholas.
Rudolph-Nicholas is hopeful her art will honour survivors and supports healing, while also giving back to the community.
“It’s something really important, because residential schools tried to erase that part of Indigenous culture, and I really want to continue that.”
Walmart Canada has been selling shirts since 2020. This year’s design marks the fifth anniversary, but don’t wait too long, as Rudolph-Nicholas says they are selling out fast, which CityNews saw firsthand in Winnipeg, with Walmart’s across the city nearly sold out.
