It is a event that has come to represent so much and is all part of a powerful and growing movement.
Just over a week from now Grand Chief Garrison Settee will cast eyes upon the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts wearing orange jerseys in the warm-up to their game on September 29th, just as 1,200 members from more than 25 First Nations communities in attendance in orange hoodies and thousands of fans in orange T-shirts take their seats at IG Field.
And as was the case in the two previous incarnations of the Blue Bombers Orange Shirt Game honouring Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — and in partnership with the Exchange Income Corporation — it will be an emotional scene for Settee, along with everyone in the building and a national television audience.
“It’s such a powerful human experience,” began Settee, the Manitoba Keewantionowi Okimakanak Grand Chief during a press conference at IG Field detailing next week’s game. “There’s something about the sea of orange… it’s not your regular football experience. I’m thankful it’s happening as an Indigenous person and as Indigenous leader I’m thankful someone is taking the lead. I’m hoping this grows beyond the Canadian Football League and other organizations around the world can see this because it’s a global thing.
“And for us as Indigenous people having gone through a very dark chapter with the Residential School experience and the trauma left behind, this is part of a healing journey that is continuing. But it’s also about getting other people to be involved.”
“Having the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and their players wearing orange is supporting us in the healing journey and it’s not lost on us. Even the people watching at home have a sense of comfort that their relatives are not forgotten and that the dark chapter is acknowledged.
“This an example of corporate responsibility,” he added. “Economic reconciliation is a term that has been used by so many and this is very significant and it’s also significant because EIC and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have taken the lead in Canada.
“Seeing this, people all across the country can ask the question, ‘What can we do to help?’”
The special orange New Era jerseys worn by the Blue Bombers and Argonauts in the pre-game will be available in an online auction, with the funds raised once again being donated to the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre. Last year’s auction raised $50,000 for WASAC.
The Blue Bombers will also wear the star-blanket logo created for them by Dene Sinclair on their helmets, while members of the EIC from all over the country will be flying in to help bring the more than 1,000 Indigenous members into Winnipeg from Northern Manitoba, Northern Ontario and Nunavut for the game.
“It’s the right thing to do and Truth and Reconciliation is about taking action,” said Blue Bombers President & CEO Wade Miller. “You see a company like EIC that is taking action and we’re proud to be a part of this and take the lead from other businesses that are connected to the community more than we are. It’s been great to work with the Grand Chief and everyone involved in this.”
“You see the kids and the people that fly in from the different communities, you see our fans and other corporatioåns becoming more involved and it’s become something bigger. That’s very special.”
Worth noting: the Blue Bombers and IG Field were also the first organization and sports venue in North America to include a land acknowledgement statement before every home game, a practice that has now become commonplace.
“This began back in 2015 when we’d fly in 25-30 residents from various First Nations communities for each Blue Bombers home game åand after COVID hit Wade and I talked about growing this into something bigger,” said Mike Pyle, EIC’s CEO. “It’s amazing to watch these kids, many who have never left their communities let alone been on a plane. I like to be out front before the game and watch their faces as they come into the building. The way I describe it is like it was the first time I landed in Vegas at night – I couldn’t believe how big and shiny it was. Well, it’s like that squared for these kids when you see the looks on their faces.
“We’ve got employees in our company from as far away as B.C. and Newfoundland who have volunteered to come in and help.”
As part of the evening’s event, Juno Nominee and Cree Musician Desiree Dorion will perform in the Princess Auto Pre-game Tailgate prior to kick-off while the national anthem will be sung in Cree by Rhonda Head, a multi-award-winning Mezzo Soprano from Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba.
As well, Powwow dancers, hoop dancers and drummers hosted by Walking Wolf Singers and Dancers will also lead the team onto the field prior to kickoff. The halftime show will feature jiggers and honour five Indigenous-centered safety organizations in the city.
The Orange Shirt game has now grown beyond Winnipeg and in B.C. with the Lions, with all CFL teams planning similar events for every game next weekend.
“Reconciliation is possible, and reconciliation is now,” said Grand Chief Settee. “It’s more than just the word, it’s action.”
