An Alternate Jersey With A Purpose

I know the Philadelphia Flyers wear orange and the Edmonton Oilers have dabbled in the colour as the base colour for their jerseys, but I don't think I've ever been a fan of orange jerseys. It's a colour that's meant for sunsets, not hockey, but there are times where orange not only should be accepted, but endorsed. One of those times was yesterday as the AHL's Manitoba Moose were hosting the Chicago Wolves, and it was "Follow Your Dreams Day" at the Canada Life Centre which called for the special orange jerseys to be worn as allies with Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba! Personally, I love these games because of the way the Jets and Moose logos get rendered in an Indigenous art design, but the effort that the Moose put into making this day special needs some discussion.

True North Sports and Entertainment proudly welcomed and hosted families from Pauingassi First Nation, Northlands Denesuline First Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation, Shamattawa First Nation, Minegoziibe Anishinabe First Nation, and the Métis Community of Duck Bay during this year's weekend where Indigenous Peoples and Cultures were invited to the arena. Winnipeg Jets college scout Sydney Daniels, herself from Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan, and several Indigenous youth community representatives dropped the puck for the ceremonial face-off prior to the game between the Moose and Wolves. Seeing Daniels, a proud Indigenous woman, involved in a puck drop and being present for the kids to see and speak to is precisely why these games are important.

During the game and intermissions, Dreyden Flett was showing his skill with appliqué ornamental needlework, Joanne Soldier displayed her talents with Ojibwe floral beadwork, and Claire Johnston taught younger fans about Métis beading while allowing some of those younger fans to take their beadwork home thanks to the Moose wives and girlfriends group. The displays that happen are a vital part of Indigenous Cultures, and it's great to see these amazing people showing how talented they are.

The Moose also invited Clarence Iron to call the game on their livestream in Plains Cree, and, as they tweeted, we may have been witness to the first AHL goal ever called in the Cree language!
Jansen Harkins' power-play goal at 4:03 of the first period opened the scoring in the game as the Moose gave the hometown crowd something to cheer. That call by Irons, though, is pretty awesome!

The Moose, like their NHL affiliate, wear double-blue as its colour scheme, but I think this shot of orange would really do wonders for the franchise. Wear it at home as a reminder of the rich Indigenous history upon which the city of Winnipeg is built, and as a reminder that every day should be a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day might be September 30, but the Moose could do it every few games if they wore these jerseys as an alternate jersey.

Some will say that if these jerseys are worn more than once, they'll lose meaning. I disagree with that notion as visibility matters when it comes to Truth and Reconciliation and following one's dreams. It would be an incredible thing if True North Sports and Entertainment shifted these jerseys to alternate Moose jerseys and kept the merchandise on the shelves with a portion of proceeds of all orange Moose merchandise going to WASAC and their efforts to continue to create opportunity for Indigenous youth across the province. That's how a difference is made, and it wouldn't take much for TNSE to make this happen.

At the end of Sunday's game, everyone went home happy as the Moose defeated the Wolves 5-3 in their game, a ton of Indigenous youth were treated to a fantastic weekend of fun and activities, and the Moose auctioned off a pile of jerseys to help WASAC. I'll give credit to TNSE for keeping this great game that helps an incredible cause going, but this could be a season-long thing if TNSE choose to make that a reality.

Frankly, they should. If the Moose aren't being used to make TNSE money, they can at least be used for a bigger tax write-off with a sizable donation to WASAC each and every season. Of course, I'm not qualified in any way to make financial decisions for a hockey team, but I think the orange shirts would make a significant societal statement as well as being fashionable.

I know this isn't going to happen as the Moose use this special day as one of their big community initiatives, but I can't think of a better way to show people that the Moose are all-in when it comes to allowing Indigenous Peoples to follow their dreams. All it would take is one simple decision from the suits who run the show to have the Moose wear orange jerseys all season long.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!