Teams in the Maritime Junior Hockey League will soon wear special jerseys that focus on Indigenous reconciliation.
From November 24th to December 5th, each of the 12 teams will wear a jersey that was created in consultation with local First Nations.
League president Steve Dykeman says they decided to plan the week of recognition at their governor’s meeting in June.
“All the governors agreed that we should do something to recognize Every Child Matters, and to show our respect and to see what we can do to give back to the Indigenous community,” says Dykeman.
A photo of residential school survivors will be on the jerseys, along with the ‘Every Child Matters’ message.
Dykeman says the jerseys were created after lots of consultation.
“We did consult with a number of First Nations leaders on the design of the jerseys, to make sure the message was respectful and the correct tone we wanted.”
Former NHLer Everett Sanipass of New Brunswick’s Elsipogtog First Nation has also been involved in planning.
The jerseys will be auctioned off by each team.
Below is a schedule of home teams wearing the special jerseys:
Wednesday, November 24th – Grand Falls Rapids
Thursday, November 25th – Edmundston Blizzard, Pictou County Crushers
Friday, November 26th – South Shore Lumberjacks, Truro Bearcats, Valley Wildcats
Saturday, November 27th – Miramichi Timberwolves, Amherst Ramblers, Summerside Western Capitals
Sunday, November 28th – Yarmouth Mariners
Friday, December 3rd – Campbellton Tigers
Sunday, December 5th – Fredericton Red Wings
