Winnipeg Blue Bombers, EIC partner to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
WINNIPEG, MB., September 18, 2023 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, together with Exchange Income Corporation (EIC) and the Toronto Argonauts, today announce a partnership to honour Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. One thousand members of the Indigenous community will be hosted at the September 29th home game against the Argos.
"The Blue Bombers and Argos will wear special orange New Era jerseys for pre-game warmup to recognize Orange Shirt Day," said Wade Miller, President & CEO of the Winnipeg Football Club. "Our jerseys will be made available for an online auction after the game, with funds raised once again donated to Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC)."
WASAC helps to remove barriers for thousands of children annually and is Canada?s largest employer for Indigenous children and youth. The Argos will be auctioning off their orange jerseys to raise funds for ENAGB Youth Agency. The Blue Bombers will also have the star blanket logo that was created for the team in 2021 on their helmets for the game.
"The entire EIC family is excited to once again team up with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and a number of Indigenous organizations, in recognizing the 'Every Child Matters' movement and honouring Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation," said Mike Pyle, CEO of EIC. "Our company has the privilege of playing a vital role across Canada as a provider of essential services into many Indigenous communities. Our ability to partner with the Blue Bombers, to provide transportation & accommodations for families coming to Winnipeg, from 120 communities across Canada, to enjoy this game is a direct result of our longstanding commitment to those communities."
Juno Nominee and Cree Musician, Desiree Dorion, will perform in the Princess Auto Pre-game Tailgate prior to kick-off. The anthem will be sung in Cree by Rhonda Head, a multi-award winning Mezzo Soprano from Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba. Powwow dancers, hoop dancers and drummers hosted by Walking Wolf Singers and Dancers will also lead the team onto the field prior to kickoff on September 29th. The halftime show will feature jiggers and honour five Indigenous-centered safety organizations in the city.
I guess that helped the crowd for the Argo game. I just looked to see how many tickets were left and it is less than 500 with the end zones already sold out. Its mostly just singles left in the rest of the stadium. The third sellout of the season for the Bombers coming up.
https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/09/20/reconciliation-is-possible-and-reconciliation-is-now/
"Reconciliation is possible, and reconciliation is now," said Grand Chief Settee. "It's more than just the word, it's action."
Let?s leave the political BS out of the football forum
Absolutely ridiculous for anyone not to fully support this awesome invitative by the ball club. This is an awesome thing to discuss and celebrate. If you don't want to support it or don't like it just ignore the thread please. Huge supporter of all then Indigenous, Inuit and Metis people of this great nation. Classy move by the Bombers and looking forward to the on field entertainment. I remember previous years being very entertained in the past. The league has had a great policy and push to make this league more inclusive.
Absolutely relvent and appropriate for the forum.
Thanks to the mods to for posting this!
This is a Blue Bomber and CFL initiative to recognize the importance of equal rights for all. Let's support the notion of equal rights and steer clear of what you perceive are the "real" issues and/or political reasons for the event. Thanks.
Wear orange and cheer on and support this great initiative everyone. Proud to be a part of this day.
Was a fantastic night and well run special event. Interesting story below.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/parliament-hill-national-truth-reconciliation-day-1.6983676