Every Child Matters Tee Shirt

Artist Bio
Herbert Shane Hartman is an Indigenous artist of Dakelh (Carrier) heritage from the Central Interior of British Columbia. He is a proud member of the Nak'azdli Whut'en First Nation and belongs to the Lhts'umusyoo (Beaver) Clan. He also has Scottish and Swedish lineage.

As a self-taught artist of mixed heritage, Shane describes his work as "Indigenous Inspired." His minimalist style uses simple forms to convey emotion and tell stories through his artwork.

Shane is also the author and illustrator of the children's book Isla's New Drum, which was published in 2020.

Every Child Matters Flower Design 
The flower in this piece represents Indigenous children and the hope that continues to grow through truth, remembrance, and reconciliation. Flowers return each season after the hardest winters. In the same way, Indigenous cultures continue to thrive through resilience, healing, and the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next.

Each petal symbolizes an individual child—unique, valued, and forever connected to their families, cultures, languages, and communities. Together, the petals form a single flower, reminding us that every child is part of something larger: a people whose strength has endured despite the lasting impacts of the residential school system.

At the heart of the flower is a quiet nod to the Four Directions, which hold deep significance for many First Nations across Turtle Island. While the teachings and meanings vary from Nation to Nation, the Four Directions are often associated with the journey of life—from birth to Eldership—the changing seasons, balance between the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of ourselves, and our relationship with the land, our communities, and all living things.

The flower design was created in recognition of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The orange shirt serves as a reminder of the children who attended residential schools, the survivors, their families, and the generations who continue to feel the impacts today. Together, the flower and the shirt affirm a simple but powerful truth: Every Child Matters. They also remind us that reconciliation requires remembrance, education, and meaningful action.

The inspiration for this artwork is rooted, in part, in my mother's experience as a survivor of Lejac Indian Residential School in British Columbia. She rarely spoke about her time there, choosing instead to protect her children from the pain she carried. It honours the resilience of Residential School Survivors, remembers the children who never returned home, and reflects the ongoing journey toward truth and reconciliation.

The Blue Flower
The blue variation of this piece reflects my own identity as a person of mixed Indigenous and Scottish ancestry. The blue and white flower is a personal acknowledgement of the many Indigenous people who also carry European ancestry.

The blue and white colours are a nod to Scotland and the Scottish Saltire, recognizing my Scottish heritage alongside my Dakelh roots. This piece represents the reality that many Indigenous people today carry stories, traditions, and histories from more than one culture.

Rather than viewing these identities as separate, the flower symbolizes how they exist together rooted in Indigenous identity while acknowledging the many paths that have shaped our families and communities. It reflects my own journey and an expression of reconciliation within myself.
 

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