November 30, 2021 – National Lacrosse League (NLL) – Halifax Thunderbirds News Release
In the 600-plus days since the Halifax Thunderbirds last took the turf at Scotiabank Centre for National Lacrosse League action, the atrocities uncovered at Residential Schools across North America have gained international attention, and for some gave opportunity
Truth and Reconciliation Day, more commonly referred to as ‘Orange Shirt Day’, was born from the residential school survivor, Phyllis (Jack) Webstad. Phyllis’ story dates back to her first day of school when her new orange shirt, gifted to her by her grandmother, was taken away, and Phyllis was forced to conform with traditional attire worn by all of the students.
Orange has since become a powerful and significant color to indigenous communities, and during our home opener against the Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday night, the team will wear Every Child Matters uniforms to honour and remember those who suffered through the residential school system.
The shoulders will feature elongated feathers, resembling wings, for those who were not able to make it home. The jersey will also feature four sets of handprints from residential school survivors. The handprints of Vera Styres, mother of Thunderbirds owner and general manager Curt Styres, will feature over the hearts on the uniforms. A pair of handprints from Wilma and Romain, Styres’ aunts, will be on the shoulders while the handprint for Donna Longboat, aunt of Thunderbirds captain Cody Jamieson, will be on the back of the jerseys, above the players’ nameplates and numbers.
The Thunderbirds will be wearing their own ‘Every Child Matters’ patch on both their regular season jerseys, as well as their helmets, throughout the 2021-2022 campaign. The logo itself holds significance in its leftward facing palm print. It has been documented from survivors that they were forced to use their right hand to write and perform regular tasks, for fear of punishment for exhibiting left-handed tendencies.
The jerseys will be auctioned off online, with bidding beginning Wednesday, December 1 at 5pm AT, and concluding Monday, December 6 at 7pm AT. Proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit Residential School Survivor programs across the province and throughout Canada.
A link for fans to bid will be available via the Thunderbirds social media accounts and online beginning tomorrow evening.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY
SEP 30, 2021
Residential Schools are a large part of our history not only as indigenous people but for me more personally within my family with my mom and aunts being survivors of the Residential School system.
Our Thunderbirds family is very proud to support and recognize The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, being Sept 30th.
Our family further commits to recognize and support Residential School Survivors and campaigns for their cause not only Sept 30th, but every day that we can.
We see this as a time of healing and we want to be here to support anyway that we can and encourage everyone to become educated on the history of residential schools, become aware, increase awareness and reach out in their communities to see what can be done to help.
Curt Styres
Thunderbirds Owner/GM
Fans with questions may contact info@halifaxthunderbirds.com or by contacting the Thunderbirds front office at (902) 334-2333.
• Discuss this story on the National Lacrosse League message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
