Skating On Sacred Land - Spirit & Survival Tee

🧡 Skating on Sacred Land - Tribute to Survival and Spirit
Design by Sharni Ferrari, Wakka Wakka

This design is a wearable story of survival, identity and connection to Country. It was created as one half of a collaborative artwork with Red River Métis artist Natalie 'Gongshow Sally' Bell, for the Junior Roller Derby World Cup 2025 and in honour of Orange Shirt Day, a day to remember the children who never came home, to honour the survivors of residential and mission schools, and to commit to truth, justice and reconciliation.

This graphic tee features my half of the original piece, grounded in culture and the spirit of my people.
Each element of the artwork holds deep meaning:

The ochre markings across the face represent what we wear in ceremony and dance. They’re about honour, identity and showing up grounded in culture. The helmet design is a yarning circle, a place of deep listening, learning and shared truth. That’s what derby feels like to me too - a place where we gather, support each other and grow together.

The Golden Wattle and Gum Blossom are native to my Country. They remind me of home and the beauty of our land. The weaving honours our Ancestors, and their cultural knowledge passed down through generations.

The feathers of the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo carry potent spirit, they are messengers from the Dreaming, reminding us that our Ancestors are always near, guiding and protecting us.

Even though mine and Gong Show's cultures come from different lands, our people share the same story of spirit and survival. Sharing this message through roller derby, a space still full of barriers for First Nations people, is a powerful act of reclaiming space and making our stories visible.

It stands as a reminder that Every Child Matters, and that our voices, stories and cultures must never be silenced again.
🧡 Every Child Matters.