Keeping the Path Clear

2024 Orange Shirt

This is the First Nation School Board’s first, original Orange Shirt design. It was created by Yukon First Nation artist, Violet Gatensby. The original piece will be painted at FNSB's Whitehorse office with full colour and detail. This version has been edited slightly, by the artist, for application on apparel.

A great big gunalchéesh to Violet for her beautiful work, and for sharing her stories, knowledge and art with FNSB.

A bit about the design…

Keeping the path clear is a circular design with the outer ring being the bark of a tree. The second ring is a red ring. Traditionally, red circular doors or designs represent a passage to whatever is on the other side. In this case it’s a woman with open hands to welcome you into the First Nation School Board. Mirrored under the woman’s face, and in between her arms, is another smaller face to represent youth. If you turned the design upside down, it’s as if the smaller face is trying to mirror what the bigger face is doing. This is to represent the eagerness of a young mind to learn. The design holds multiple salmon/trout heads and that’s a sign of wealth. There are two cedar branches just under each hand as cedar is used to clear the path.

A bit about the artist…

Violet Gatensby is a northwest coast artist from Carcross, Yukon. She holds an advanced diploma from the Frieda Design fine arts program in Terrace, British Columbia. Her work is inspired by traditional stories and knowledge of the land told to her by her mother and grandmother. Woodcarving is her preferred media but she also enjoys metal work, designing and painting.