Salma El-Hajj, a third-year student in the Programme de common law en français (PCLF), created the winning design for ILSG’s 2026 Orange Shirt campaign. Unlike recent campaigns, whose featured artists came from outside the law school, this year’s selected artist is a member of the Common Law community—and someone who is relatively new to illustration.
ILSG’s online store is now open for Orange Shirt orders ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. The day honours residential school survivors, their families and communities, as well as the children who never returned home. Orange Shirt Day also calls on people across Canada to learn about the residential school system and its continuing intergenerational effects.
El-Hajj’s beautiful composition brings together people, land and cultural imagery in a layered landscape. Two figures in patterned garments occupy the foreground, with a child seated nearby. Behind them rise evergreen trees, a mountain range and a carved pole, while a large bird crosses the sky. The design uses strong outlines to create a sense of depth, movement and connection across the scene.
For El-Hajj, the design is rooted in the idea of strength and continuity across generations.
“The theme of my design is strength,” says El-Hajj. “It represents multiple generations of Indigenous people, from Elders to children, including those who never had the chance to grow old. My choice to feature women, along with the mountains, the eagle and totem pole, symbolizes the resilience and strength of the people of Turtle Island. The design serves as a testament to that enduring strength, which continues today as the country works toward fulfilling the Calls to Action.”
The work marks an important milestone for El-Hajj: it is the first piece of artwork she has licensed.
“Getting to be a part of this year’s Orange Shirt Day has been a big deal for me,” she says.
El-Hajj first began experimenting with acrylic paint before moving into illustration. Her work has appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of Ex Curia, a University of Ottawa law student magazine, on posters promoting panels and book launches, and in material for the Common Law Student Society’s upcoming podcast, Professional Playbook.
She also recently completed a large mural depicting crashing waves and a sunset. The project took six years to finish following a lengthy hiatus and was exhibited in April at Fauteux , during the Draw the Law Art Show.
Her contribution to the Orange Shirt campaign also brings her creative work full circle. In 2021, as a staff writer for The Fulcrum, El-Hajj reported on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation after it became a federal statutory holiday. For that article, she interviewed Alaina Woolfrey, a lawyer at Nelligan O’Brien Payne LLP whose grandfather is Mi’kmaq. Looking back, El-Hajj sees the assignment as an unexpected early connection between her future studies in law and her interest in truth and reconciliation.
She credits ILSG and co-presidents Emily Paul and Jessica Howson with giving her the confidence to take this next step as an artist.
“Without them, I would not have had the opportunity to license my first artwork and be part of such a meaningful project,” says El-Hajj. “Their encouragement has motivated me to continue pursuing my work in the art space.”
"We are so grateful to have worked with Salma this year and to share her beautiful artwork through our Orange Shirt campaign. It is especially meaningful to have a student from the Faculty of Law create this year's design, and we are really happy to have been able to support her work as an artist", says Jessica Howson, ILSG Co-President. "We hope this campaign encourages people to take a moment to reflect on the meaning of September 30 and remember that the importance of this day extends beyond September 30 itself."
All proceeds from this year’s campaign will be donated to the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, which provides programs and services to Indigenous people in Ottawa and the surrounding region. Supporters can also make a direct donation through the ILSG store.
“The Odawa Native Friendship Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for Indigenous peoples in the Capital Region,” says Emily Paul, ILSG Co-President. “Many of the Indigenous students in the Faculty of Law come to Ottawa from communities across Turtle Island, making centers such as Odawa incredibly useful for maintaining a sense of community and cultural connection. We are deeply appreciative of the work Odawa does for our Region and hope this donation can help continue their programming for all Indigenous peoples.”
How to purchase an Orange Shirt
Shirts can be ordered through the ILSG online store. Online orders can be picked up at 613 Flea on September 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or outside Fauteux Hall on weekdays from September 21 to September 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m (with the exception of September 25th). Shirts will also be sold in person during these times, with cash and card accepted. Pre-ordering is encouraged to ensure the preferred unisex size is available.
ILSG encourages all students, staff, and faculty across the University to use the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as an opportunity to educate themselves and consider attending one of the numerous events happening on and off campus. You can find ILSG speaking at the university-wide ceremony outside FSS at 9:30 am.
For more information, contact [email protected] or follow @ilsguottawa.