Pats raise over $9,000 for Orange Jersey Project as part of Indigenous Celebration Night

Regina, Sask. — Saturday represented a special night at the Brandt Centre in Regina as the Pats hosted Indigenous Celebration Night, in partnership with George Gordon Developments LTD, with the Edmonton Oil Kings in town for a big Eastern Conference matchup, as the Pats defeated the Oil Kings 9-4.

As a part of the evening, the Pats sported the special-edition orange jerseys that were a part of the WHL’s Orange Jersey Project initiative, marking the second time that the Pats wore those limited-edition uniforms. Last season was the first time they were worn in a WHL Regular Season game as the Pats defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-3 on March 15, 2023. Last year, the Pats raised over $15,000.

Established in 2022, the Orange Jersey Project strives to use the power of sport to serve as a vehicle toward educating today’s young athletes about the history of the Indian Residential School System and to strengthen the path toward truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. As a part of the Pats auction of the game-worn Orange Jersey Project jerseys, a gross total of $9,650 was raised with 100 per cent of the net proceeds donated back to the Orange Jersey Project.

The highest bidding jersey was Tye Spencer’s, which went for $750. The next closest was Tanner Howe’s jersey ($550), followed by Jaxsin Vaughan’s jersey ($525), Anthony Wilson’s ($500), and Ewan Huet’s ($500).

In Regina, the Pats game night showcased Indigenous Culture to acknowledge the relationships shared with all Indigenous peoples in Treaty Four Territory.

Prior to the game, the Pats held a ceremonial faceoff with Chief Bitternose of George Gordon First Nation as well as George Gordon Developments executives. Shantz of the Pats, along with assistant coach Evan McFeeters and the Vaughan twins, all with Indigenous backgrounds, took part in the ceremonial faceoff.

In addition to the ceremonial faceoff, a number of pre-game and intermission performers brought Indigenous culture to the stage with drum, dance and singing performances by George Gordon First Nation.

The public address duties were handled by Irving Montana of George Gordon First Nation while Pats anthem singer Teagan Little Chief of Whitebear First Nation sung the Canadian national anthem.

Tune into @620ckrm as Clarence Iron provides colour commentary and some play-by-play in Cree with @Diamond_Dante and @SilverFoxTalks as part of our Indigenous Celebration Night 🧡 pic.twitter.com/DNktYaonU8

— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) February 11, 2024

For the first time in WHL history, parts of the broadcast were done in Cree as Clarence Iron joined play-by-play voice Dante De Caria and colour commentator Kelly Remple in the broadcast booth, providing analysis in Cree as well as play-by-play for parts of the game.

Iron called Cole Temple’s second of the game late in the second period.

One of the first steps Canadians can take on the journey towards reconciliation is to educate themselves by reading the 94 Calls to Action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Since the closure of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has confirmed over 4,100 individuals were lost to the Indian Residential School system.

SUPPORT: If you are a Survivor of or family member impacted by the residential school system and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419

About the Orange Shirt Society
The Orange Shirt Society was formed in Williams Lake by the founders of Orange Shirt Day to encourage and support communities to recognize Orange Shirt Day and to support reconciliation events and activities. Our goal is to create awareness of the individual, family, and community intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Day activities, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”