Ojibwe artist designs orange t-shirt for Rogers to support National Indigenous Peoples’ Day

In the spirit of awareness, healing and reconciliation, Rogers has commissioned Ojibweartist Patrick Hunter to design a special orange t-shirt in honour of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  

“Inclusion and diversity are incredibly important at Rogers and our employees are passionate about engaging Indigenous partners like artist Patrick Hunter to continue strengthening awareness of the beautiful culture and the ongoing challenges facing our communities,” said Kim Barrington, Chair, Indigenous Peoples Group, Rogers Communications.

Unveiled at an event for Rogers employees this week, the t-shirt will be available for purchase later this summer with net proceeds going to Indigenous communities.  It is also in honour of Orange Shirt Day in September, which raises awareness of the impacts of residential schools and supports reconciliation activities.

“Each feather represents the four directions and the seven Grandfather teachings, as they are both recognized concepts by most Indigenous cultures in Canada,” said Patrick Hunter, who designed the t-shirt. “Eagle feathers are given to those that have gone above and beyond in service to their community. The feathers arranged in a sun formation would signify that those who didn’t make it out of the schools are with the universe now and not forgotten and we honour their lives.”

Rogers would like to pay tribute to its many partners across the country for allowing us to join their efforts in supporting Indigenous peoples.    

• Women’s shelters:  Rogers has provided phones and free wireless plans to women’s shelters who support Indigenous women and children in crisis, including Helping Spirit Lodge Society in Vancouver, Atlohsa Family Healing Services in London, Ikwe Widdjiitiwin Inc. in Winnipeg, Oshki Kizis Lodge (Minwaashin Lodge) in Ottawa, and Anduhyaun Inc. in Toronto

• Ted Rogers Scholarships:  Twenty talented Indigenous youth have received nearly $100,000  in Ted Rogers Scholarships since 2018, all nominated by Indspire, a partner organization that provides educational funding and resources to First Nations, Inuit and Metis students and educators across the country.

• Ted Rogers Community Grants:
  • Each year, Actua’s National Indigenous Youth in STEM (InSTEM) program reaches over 35,000 Indigenous youth in over 200 communities across Canada. The program, supported in part by Ted Rogers Community Grants, links aspects of culture and Traditional Knowledge with modern science as a means to open the pathway for Indigenous youth to explore their potential as future innovators in STEM. Ted Rogers Community Grants has invested $150,000 in all of Actua’s barrier-breaking programs for girls, at-risk and Indigenous youth since 2018.
  • Youth Science Canada’s regional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fairs for youth across Canada have reached five Indigenous communities with the support from $100,000 in Ted Rogers Community Grants since 2018. 
  • Over the last few years, Rogers has provided grants to regional organizations that support Indigenous youth including Urban Native Youth Association in Vancouver, Connections Community Services in Richmond, Westbank First Nation Youth Centre in Kelowna and West Bank, Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society, Enoch Cree Nation Youth Centre and Okotoks Family Resource Centre, both in Alberta, Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre at the University of Winnipeg and Peguis First Nations School in Peguis, Manitoba.     

• Sportsnet:
  • Sportsnet is celebrating Indigenous People’s Day by producing two Q&As for YouTube and sportsnet.ca.  The first is with Ethan Bear, a defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers who was born and raised in Ochapowace Cree Nation in Saskatchewan.  The other is with Mary Spencer, an Olympian and World Champion boxer, and proud member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.
  • Ron MacLean hosted athlete, activist and broadcaster Waneek Horn-Miller as his guest on In Conversation on Friday. A Mohawk from Kahnawake, Quebec, she was co-captain of Canada’s first Olympic women’s water polo team and a gold medallist in water polo at the 1999 Pan American Games. She is a well-known activist for Indigenous rights and a prominent role model, mentor and advocate for youth involvement in sports. The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity named her one of the country’s most influential women in sport in 2015.

• Rogers Hometown Hockey: Celebrating the contributions and traditions of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, Sportsnet and Rogers Hometown Hockey have worked to unite communities through the power of sport. Beginning eachbroadcast with a formal land acknowledgement, the Rogers Hometown Hockey tour has also hosted festivals in Enoch Cree Nation and Peguis First Nation over the past two seasons. Sportsnet’s celebration of Indigenous communities also includes milestone NHL broadcasts in Plains Cree in partnership with APTN.
• Legacy Space:  Last year, Rogers opened the Downie-Wenjack Legacy Space at its head office in downtown Toronto, creating a space to raise awareness and understanding of Indigenous art, history, and culture, with employees and community members

• Connectivity:  Recognizing the importance of connectivity in Indigenous communities, Rogers has worked with partners like the B.C. government, Nisga’a Nation, Witset First Nation and northern carrier SSi Canada to bring wireless coverage to communities across northern Canada.

We hope you will join us in celebrating and honouring the unique contributions and culture of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.