May 5th, 2025
National Indigenous History Month – June 2025
National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21, 2025
We are pleased to launch the Indigenous Apparel Store ahead of June – National Indigenous History Month and June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day featuring WRDSB official Indigenous Strength Logo. By purchasing from the affinity apparel store, you are supporting one mechanism of funding student-led initiatives. This store can be shared with students, families/caregivers and community members. Thank you!
This year’s design once again features the WRDSB official “Indigenous Strength” design by Judy Mack-Ross. The Indigenous Strength apparel will be available in blue this year (as pictured above) as short sleeved t-shirts, long sleeved t-shirts, and hooded sweatshirts.
Orders can be placed through the WRDSB Affinity Apparel Store. The ordering deadline is May 18th at 11:59PM. There will be no extensions on this deadline.
If you are a student, family member or caregiver, please put the school you are associated with as your school location. ALL ORDERS MUST INCLUDE THE SCHOOL LOCATION AND WILL BE SENT THROUGH INTEROFFICE MAIL.
If you are a community member, please enter the “Education Centre” as your school location and be sure to enter contact information. YOU WILL BE CONTACTED TO ARRANGE PICK-UP.
About the Artwork and Artist
CREE Translation (from the artist):
- Inninew (Indigenous)
- Mus-ka-wih-see-win (Strength)
Artist’s Vision: About the Design
When I was commissioned to do the logo for WRDSB. I wanted to represent our strength and pride for the next generation. The 4 colours (yellow, red, black, and white) represent the medicine wheel and its teachings. The circle and flowers represent the earth. We come from medicine people, our ancestors. We stand tall. The figure in the middle represents pride, strength and culture which will never be taken from us. The figure represents male, female, and 2Spirits – Words of the Artist, Judy Ross-Mack.
About the Artist: Judy Ross-Mack
I was born in Moose Factory Ontario, a little island beside Moosonee. I am Swampy Cree and am registered at Weenusk First Nation. Most of my family lives in Weenusk. I am a 60s scoop survivor. I was taken from my mom when I was 3yrs old and placed in a non-Indigenous home. With the help of KW Indigenous community members, I rediscovered my Indigenous roots at age 16 and was eventually reunited with my real family. Here I learned to be proud of who I am and where I came from. As a child, I was never allowed to know who I was, nor allowed to be around my people. Today I stand proudly – strong and rooted.
I began to draw when I lived in my adoptive home. It helped me cope with the struggles I faced living there. My style is self-taught. Through the years, I spent time studying different styles and techniques. I just started to learn to create digital art recently. I draw inspiration from where I was born and my home reserve, Weenusk. I draw inspiration from Indigenous teachings I have received, teachings from my home reserve and from mother earth. I try to incorporate a Cree style with a more modern approach as well. I look up to Indigenous artists such as Jackson Beardy, Norval Morrisseau, and local artist, Steve Owens. These artists have always been an inspiration to me. – Words of the Artist, Judy Ross-Mack