Canada-based NHL teams stand with Indigenous people on Orange Shirt Day

In Canada, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day is Sept. 30.

To honor the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, Canada-based NHL teams raised money for Indigenous organizations and wore special orange warmup jerseys.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools. It also aims to promote the concept of "Every Child Matters." The orange shirt symbolizes the stripping away of culture and freedom experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
The Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks all wore orange warmup jerseys before recent preseason games to support the cause.

"It's important to continue to preach that message and remember the many children who did not return home," Mark Fraser, the former NHL defenseman who
joined the Maple Leafs in a player development, equity, diversity and inclusion role in March 2021
, said.
The Maple Leafs donated to the Orange Shirt Society, a nonprofit that supports Indian Residential School Reconciliation. The Winnipeg Jets partnered with the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development, a nonprofit that provides job opportunities and training for Indigenous people in Winnipeg, for a joint day of sharing and education.

The Senators invited Chief R. Donald Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte to perform the ceremonial puck drop before their preseason game against the Maple Leafs on Friday.

"Canada is a very strong and prosperous nation. I think the majority of Canadians are learning more about what has happened as a result of colonialism and the harm its caused so many Indigenous nations across its land," Maracle said. "I think Canadians want to do the right thing. I thank the NHL, all the teams, for their continuous support to do right by our people and bring justice to our people."