The Winnipeg Jets are gearing up for their second annual South Asian Heritage Night presented by Canada Life on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. when they go head-to-head against the Colorado Avalanche. The game celebrates Manitoba’s vibrant South Asian community with the incorporation of food, music, dancing and art.
Marking a historic moment in both NHL and professional sports history, the Amber Trails School choir, predominantly comprised of students of South Asian descent, will perform the American national anthem, as well as a Punjabi and English version of O Canada. Their performance will be the first time the Canadian national anthem will be sung in Punjabi at a major professional sporting event. Punjabi has recently become Canada's third most spoken language behind the two official languages.
Pre-game entertainment will include the music of many regions influenced by South Asian culture, spun by DJs of South Asian heritage: DJ Hira representing Punjabi music, DJ General B representing the West Indian community, and DJ Nish focusing on Bollywood-style music. The Winnipeg Punjabi Arts Academy will present dance and lively drum/dhol performances pre-game on the concourse with the Indian School of Dance delivering a special performance in the bowl during intermission.
Canada Life Centre Executive Chef Richard Duncan has collaborated with Chef Vishwajit Bhati, originally from and culinarily trained in India, to offer South Asian features. They will include traditional butter chicken and saag paneer bowls, tandoori chicken pizza, and sweet treat gulab jamun at various concession locations.
Additional jerseys will be available through an online auction at auctions.nhl.com/WinnipegJets from Friday Jan. 12, 2024 to Sunday Jan. 21, 2024.
An expanded line of South Asian Heritage clothing and merchandise will be available at Jets Gear and online at TrueNorthShop.com leading up to the South Asian Heritage Night game.
To read more on the South Asian Heritage Night – Visit the Press Release Here
