Canadians raise nearly $100K through Rogers to Support Orange Shirt Society

Rogers thanks Canadians for purchasing thousands of orange shirts through #wewearorange campaign to support reconciliation through education

TORONTO, September 30, 2020 – As thousands across the country wear orange today to acknowledge Canada’s history of residential schools, Rogers Communications thanks Canadians for purchasing nearly 5,000 orange t-shirts, designed by Ojibwe artist Patrick Hunter, and for standing in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples on Orange Shirt Day. Through a two-month long fundraising campaign amplified across Rogers-owned media assets, Rogers-raised proceeds will help support Orange Shirt Society, an Indigenous non-profit that raises awareness of Canada’s residential school system, and the impact it has left on generations of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

“September 30 is a day we call upon all Canadians to learn about the traumatic legacy of the residential schools, listen to stories from survivors and acknowledge those tragically lost to the system,” said Phyllis Webstad, Executive Director of the Orange Shirt Society, whose personal experience at a residential school inspired Orange Shirt Day. “The support we’ve seen from our collaborators and from communities coast to coast to support Orange Shirt Day is truly meaningful as we continue our healing journey, and focus on education as a means to reconciliation.”

Canada officially started acknowledging Orange Shirt Day in 2013 and now annually commemorates this important day. The residential school experience, which continued for over century into the 1990s, saw more than 150,000 Indigenous youth sent away from their parents. This year, the Rogers #WeWearOrange campaign asked Canadians to support the cause and spread awareness for this national day of recognition.

“The support we have received from our team members and from customers has been overwhelming, and a reflection of hope for Indigenous communities across Canada,” said Kim Barrington, Chair, Indigenous Peoples’ Network, Rogers Communications. “This campaign was a first for us, and it was amazing to see the team come together with passion and a commitment to helping our communities, by leveraging the full power of our assets to increase awareness of support  for Orange Shirt Day.” 

Through October 16, 2020, Canadians can still purchase a t-shirt to support Orange Shirt Society’s educational programming at tsc.ca/wewearorange.

Rogers will continue to partner with Indigenous communities and organizations, and as part of The 60 Project, a year-long initiative marking Rogers anniversary by giving back and building a stronger Canada, from  volunteering, monetary donations, fundraising support, investing in Canada and the networks that keep Canadians connected.

We have brought  this commitment to life by partnering with community organizations like the Orange Shirt Society, Food Banks Canada, Women’s Shelters Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada, and Pflag Canada and provided Ted Rogers Community Grants to organizations like Actua, whose InSTEM program supports Indigenous youth to succeed inside and outside the classroom. 75% of our Ted Rogers Scholarships Class of 2020 recipients are from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities, which we’ve achieved through partnership with organizations like Indspire. We have also invested in an 100% Canadian-based customer service team and in our networks to help Canada’s economy thrive and grow; and connecting the next generation to education and the support they need to build a bright future. The 60 Project is about making hope possible, right here, in the Canadian communities we call home.  

About Rogers
Rogers is a proud Canadian company dedicated to making more possible for Canadians each and every day. Our founder, Ted Rogers, purchased his first radio station, CHFI, in 1960. We have grown to become a leading technology and media company that strives to provide the very best in wireless, residential, sports, and media to Canadians and Canadian businesses. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). If you want to find out more about us, visit about.rogers.com.

Media Contacts
Rogers – [email protected] 647-747-5118