Rogers Sports & Media commemorates the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with special features and stories across its sports, news and entertainment assets
At Rogers, we are committed to making a meaningful impact in partnership with Indigenous communities and our Indigenous team members on the collective journey of truth and reconciliation. For Rogers Sports & Media, that means bringing our audiences across the country dedicated news coverage and online public information resources that amplify Indigenous voices, enhance awareness of the history and legacy of residential schools and the reconciliation process, and celebrate longstanding customs, culture and traditions.
While content like this can be found regularly across our sports, news and entertainment platforms, Rogers Sports & Media has curated an extensive assortment of programming to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Throughout the week, audiences will find candid conversations, informative documentaries and heartfelt features that amplify, inform, celebrate and commemorate Indigenous voices and experiences across our sports, news and entertainment assets. Here’s a preview of what to expect:
Sportsnet
On September 30, Sportsnet programming for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation includes:
- A profile on Ryan Francis, a member of Acadia First Nation in Nova Scotia, who is providing support to Indigenous women and girls in the region to stay involved in sports and physical activity.
- Blue Jays Central is spotlighting Baseball Canada Junior National Team member, Kaleb Thomas, the first player living in an Indigenous community to ever play for the program.
- Sonny Sachdeva’s article on the Little NHL (the Little Native Hockey League), an annual tournament which started in the 1970s, that brings together Indigenous youth hockey players in Ontario.
- A photo essay on Dane Evans, a quarterback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, as he embraces and rediscovers his own Native American roots through a journey of learning about the Indigenous experience in Canada with help from members of the Mississaugas of the Credit and Six Nations in his community.
Music Radio
- Rogers Sports and Media’s music radio stations across Canada have partnered with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) for an unprecedented collaboration to amplify, elevate, listen to, and learn from Indigenous voices with A Day to Listen on September 30 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. A Day to Listen is dedicated to acknowledging the past and taking reconciliACTION by amplifying Indigenous voices, and learning about Indigenous languages, teachings, and traditions, hosted by William Prince (6 a.m. to 12 p.m. local time) and Celeigh Cardinal (Noon to 6 p.m. local time).
Breakfast Television
- From conversations about the importance of allyship and language preservation to a panel on intergenerational trauma, as well as live dance and music performances, Breakfast Television is shining a light on Truth and Reconciliation this week and amplifying Indigenous voices.
Cityline
- Join Tracy Moore for a special Cityline episode on September 30 where she will speak with Riley Yesno, a queer Anishinaabe writer, researcher, and public speaker from Eabametoong First Nation to discuss How to Move Forward: The Truth About Reconciliation. There will also be an exclusive look inside the studio of Cree Métis visual artist and Two-Spirit fashion designer Jason Baerg; a conversation with children’s author Jenny Kay Dupuis about her book I Am Not a Number; and a discussion with art producer (Métis MNO citizen with Algonquin roots, Bear Clan) Michele Elise Burnett.
CityNews
- From partnering with the Woodland Cultural Centre for a feature on Indigenous language preservation to an in-depth look at how the Survivors Secretariat’s children and grandchildren are advancing the search for missing children at the former Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ontario, audiences will find impactful stories, resources and coverage throughout the week as CityNews commemorates the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Citytv
- At 12:30 p.m. ET on September 30, Citytv will broadcast SHKOZIN, a compelling documentary produced out of the Weengushk Film Institute, an Indigenous film institute in Manitoulin Island. SHKOZIN (an Ojibway word for ‘WAKE UP’) is a 30-minute documentary featuring six Indigenous and Black-female filmmakers who embark on a journey to reclaim their power, their stories, and their voices. Each filmmaker shares their own evolution of awakening with a story arc that is profoundly creative, unique, and visually appealing. Each story is interlinked through sound, imagery, voice and music, as they explore their own unique journey while bringing a shared experience on their path to healing.
- Then at 1 p.m. ET, Citytv will air Remembering the Children, a one-hour live broadcast in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This special program honours residential school survivors, their families, their communities and all the children who never made it home.
OMNI Television
- OMNI Television is airing special features throughout the week, including a conversation with the Governor General, Her Excellency, The Right Honourable Mary Simon. Additionally, they will broadcast Lessons from the Graves, an in-depth interview with Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada and Indigenous Child Welfare Advocate.
- OMNI Television produced a 1-hour documentary, Residential Schools – Canada’s Schools of Shame, which tells the history of residential schools through the stories of survivors. It is translated in various languages (Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, Italian, Tagalog, Arabic, Italian and Portuguese) to act as a resource for 3rd language-speaking Canadians.
Rogers tv
- To commemorate National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, Rogers tv will air programs across all their stations focussed on the Indigenous experiences, including the Pabineau First Nation in New Brunswick, members of the Mnjikaning of Rama in Orillia, Ontario, the Regional Inuit Women’s Association in Newfoundland, as well as memories from the Curve Lake First Nation Powwow.
- Topping off our day long programming is a special from Shaw Spotlight, a collection of compelling stories through the lens of Indigenous People across Turtle Island.
These programs and more can be found on Ignite TV, where a hub has been built to showcase a variety of content related to Indigenous culture. Simply say “Truth About Reconciliation” into your Rogers Ignite TV Voice Remote to find countless titles.
To learn more about Rogers’s commitment to making a meaningful impact on our collective journey towards Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous communities, visit here.