VICTORIA – September is an exciting month, and aside from welcoming the crisp fall air and a new school year, it also means the beginning of a new varsity sports season. While sports can bring us together and sometimes provide an escape from real-world issues, on September 30th, there is no escaping the realities of Canada's history and the colonial systems and barriers that still exist today.

Officially known as Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the University of Victoria Vikes are proud to show recognition and respect for Indigenous peoples, the survivors of the Residential Schools and the children that never returned home.

In recognition and respect for Orange Shirt Day, Vikes teams will wear orange warm-up shirts and request that spectators show support, observance, and acknowledgement of the day by wearing orange if possible.
 
This year, Vikes coaches and student-athletes will be wearing orange shirts designed by fifth-year women's field hockey player Judy Cristante. Cristante is part Cree, Métis and Ojibwe on her mother's side, and her great-grandfather attended a Residential School.

Women's field hockey coaches Lynne Beecroft, and Krista Thompson approached Cristante earlier this year asking if she could use her artistic talents to design something special for the team.  
 
"Coming up with the design was quite difficult for me because I was torn about whether I should add any resemblance of the Vikes logo within it. My thoughts were that this day is not about UVic, but rather about truth, learning, and supporting. Therefore, I went to my elders for wisdom and guidance. After talking it through and listening to their advice, I came up with the design," said Cristante.

"In the end, it was important for me to add the 'V' to solidify that the UVic Vikes stand with Indigenous people in Truth and Reconciliation as a community. The 'V' also represents that we, as students, athletes, coaches, and facility members, acknowledge this day's importance. We are so fortunate to study, work, train, and compete at a school like UVic, with its beautiful nature, safety, and rich history. This is something we need to be grateful for every day."

Cristate says the feather design on top of the "V" represents those who did not survive and those who are healing, demonstrating that we will never forget what has happened and recognize what continues to happen to these children and families.

"Wearing this orange shirt is only a small component of the calls to action within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but it symbolizes that UVic stands with Indigenous people and acknowledges that Orange Shirt Day is to remember, learn, understand, reconcile, reclaim, raise awareness, support, heal, stand for change and show love; and because every child matters," she continued.

After seeing the design, many of the Vikes teams ordered their own orange shirts with Cristante's design, including the women's soccer team, who plays at home on September 30th, and the men's rugby team who will wear them prior to this weekend's home game against UBC on Oct. 1.

The women's rugby team will be wearing an orange shirt designed by and recognizing Thunder Rugby with admission to their game on September 29th by donation, and all funds raised going back to Thunder Rugby.

Friday night's women's soccer match will also be admission by donation, with proceeds supporting a local Indigenous sport organization of the team's choice.

In the coming weeks, the men's rugby program will again participate in the Thunder Rugby jersey auction. The Vikes one-of-a-kind Indigenous jerseys designed by Gilakas'la Trey Hunt with Andy Everson's Every Child Matters sleeve logo will be auctioned off to raise money for Thunder Rugby.

UVic and the Vikes are committed to reconciliation. We're working to foster truth, respect and mutual understanding with all Indigenous peoples and communities. You can partner in the work of reconciliation by listening, learning, and sharing on Orange Shirt Day.

Weekend schedule:
Women's rugby vs the University of Alberta, Sept. 29, at 5:00 p.m. at Wallace Field.
Women's soccer vs Thompson Rivers University, Sept. 30, at 5:00 p.m. at Centennial Stadium.
Men's rugby vs the University of British Columbia, Oct. 1, at 2:30 p.m., at Wallace Field.
Women's soccer vs UBC), Oct. 1, at 5:00 p.m., at Centennial Stadium.