From left to right, Prince Albert Raiders' forwards Keaton Sorenson, Evan Herman, and Dallyn Peekeekoot help with the unveiling of a new jersey the team will wear on October 1. (Rob Mahon/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Raiders Orange Jersey

Raiders show new jersey in support of Orange Shirt Day, reconciliation

Sep 27, 2022 | 12:48 PM

The way the WHL schedule played out, the Prince Albert Raiders will be playing on the road on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, often referred to as Orange Shirt Day. The Raiders are back home the next night, however, and they’ll be using that game to pay their own tribute to the special day.

This morning, the Raiders unveiled a special jersey designed by several local Indigenous artists they will wear on October 1 when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings. Raiders forwards Evan Herman, Dallyn Peekeekoot, and Keaton Sorenson were on hand to help with the unveiling.

“It’s like wearing a super cape, like Superman,” said Peekeekoot, who is from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. “The artists did an awesome job and it’s so nice to wear it and represent a big matter in today’s society.”

The day began with a prayer ceremony, followed by a moment of silence for the victims of the mass stabbing on James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon. Mayor Greg Dionne, Police Chief Jonathan Bergen, Deputy Fire Chief Alex Paul, and representatives from the Metis nation were on hand, as was artist Anthony Masuskapoe, who worked on the jersey and designed the log on the front.

“It’s pretty crazy because it just started out as a simple sketch when they asked me to come up with ideas and now it’s this,” Masuskapoe said. “It’s pretty crazy.”

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Every detail on the jersey works in an aspect of Indigenous culture. Around the neck of the jersey is a representation of a bear claw necklace, which means protection. The child holding two feathers is for Every Child Matters, while the red hand is for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Also in the centre is a Medicine Wheel.

“They came to me with a bunch of ideas, and the main one was Every Child Matters,” Masuskapoe said. “They wanted to have a big ceremony and everything lined so I looked at all the other examples and ideas and the main thing was the two feathers.”

The symbolism wasn’t lost on Peekeekoot, who said he noticed the Medicine Wheel and braids right away.

“I don’t know what other team does as much as (the Raiders) do,” Peekeekoot said. “They give back to the community and the community gives back, it’s so awesome. I don’t think anybody could ask for anything more.”

On the back of the jersey, the player’s name bar is laid over the top of a Métis sash. For Herman, who is Métis himself, this was an added touch with a personal connection.

“For myself, it’s a huge honor,” Herman said. “It’s an honor to represent it for the Métis community.”

The sponsorship for the jersey, and several of the most prominent ideas on it, came from Mann Northway GM, with several of their Indigenous employees having input on the design.

“It’s action, and it’s action of reconciliation,” said Mark Ripley with Mann Northway. “It’s us showing our support to the Indigenous community, and to see everybody come together, the (jersey) come together, and all the people here today, it’s a real form of reconciliation and that’s what the purpose of the jersey is.”

Raiders business manager Michael Scissons says the jerseys will be worn only on the night of October 1 and will be auctioned off in support of Indigenous sporting initiatives in Prince Albert.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP