Indigenous Celebration Night features unique warmup jerseys

MONTREAL -- As part of
Indigenous Celebration Night
on Saturday, the Canadiens will wear special warmup jerseys designed by Indigenous comic book colorist and illustrator, Thomas Deer.

A lifelong resident of Kahnawake, Deer also works as a graphic artist, cultural liaison and librarian at the Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center.
Deer never expected the Habs to enlist his creative services, but he's honored they did.
The project quickly re-ignited his connection to the sport and the storied franchise.
"It was kind of a shock to get the call, but as I got into the work, it reminded me how much I missed following hockey," said Deer, whose illustration credits include Transformers, G.I. Joe, Godzilla, M.A.S.K., Micronauts, Ghostbusters, Star Trek, and Star Wars. "I wish I could tell my six-year-old self that I would be asked to do design work for the Montreal Canadiens. I was such a big Canadiens fan in the early 1980s."

Deer is proud that the organization is celebrating Indigenous culture and raising money to support First Nations youth in Quebec, as all proceeds from
the auction of these jerseys
will be donated to the
New Pathways Foundation
.
"It's a really great thing that the Canadiens are making this a priority. Indigenous peoples' connection to hockey is strong, at least in my community," mentioned Deer. "After being fans of hockey for so long, to get that kind of acknowledgement is going to be a powerful thing for Indigenous fans."
Deer's jersey concept was ultimately created in the spirit of peace, friendship and reconciliation.
He provided a brief explanation of key aspects of his design:
1. Two Row Wampum
"Wampum belts are mnemonic devices that were created to commemorate important events, stories, treaties and laws. They were made with cylindrical shell beads that are woven together to form designs that symbolize a certain message.
The Two Row Wampum was the first treaty relationship established between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and European colonists. Called Tékeni Teiohá:te, it's a white wampum belt with two parallel purple rows. One row represents the Europeans in their sailing ship, and the other represents our people in a canoe. Together, we shall travel side-by-side along the river of life, and never shall one cross into the path of the other. The metaphor is representative of our desired relationship with European colonists, which is based upon peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and non-interference."

2. Silver Covenant Chain
"As our experience with colonialism continued, the Haudenosaunee created another relationship with European colonists called the Silver Covenant Chain, symbolized by two wampum figures holding a chain between them. The Covenant Chain is an extension of the Two Row relationship and deals with the way we are to resolve conflict and grievances between our two peoples so that peace and justice can prevail. In a way, this chain is what connects our two vessels.
In time, the Convent Chain went beyond the Haudenosaunee, as other Onkwehón:we (arboriginal) peoples would have their own link in the chain."

3. Flint Arrowhead
For Deer, incorporating a flint arrowhead on the shoulder patch is a way to pay homage to his community since the name Kanien'kehá:ka, commonly known as Mohawk, means "People of the Flint" in their native language. In many Indigenous cultures, arrowheads symbolize strength, courage, and protection from evil forces. They also represent one's ability to survive the dangers of the world.

4. Pottery Motif
The pottery motif featured within the Canadiens logo and player numbers was inspired by traditional Iroquoian pottery patterns, typically incised into unglazed clay. It highlights the artistry, craftsmanship, and both ancestral and contemporary practices that connect Aboriginal people to the earth.

5. Orange Color
The color of the jersey was selected as a tribute to Orange Shirt Day, first established in 2013 to promote awareness and education on the Indian residential school system and its continued impact on survivors, their families, and Indigenous communities. Although this Saturday will be a day for celebration, Deer added that "orange is the color associated with the "Every Child Matters" movement, so we wanted to remember the victims."
The Montreal Canadiens do not claim any ownership over the Indigenous cultural symbols used in the design created by Thomas Deer and respect the Kanien'kehá:ka jurisdiction over them.