Oilers honor Indigenous communities with special tribute

The Edmonton Oilers refuse to forget the history and communities of the land they play on.

The team hosted Indigenous Celebration Night to recognize the culture and creativity of the Indigenous communities of Northern Alberta before their game against the Seattle Kraken Monday at Rogers Place.
Before the game, the Oilers played a Treaty Land Acknowledgement video written by Lance Cardinal and voiced by Chief Willie Littlechild to celebrate the shared use of Treaty 6 Land, which encompasses 17 First Nations in Central Alberta. The video recognizes that the Oilers organization lives, works and plays on the traditional territory of many First Nations.
"The recognition of our history on this land is an act of reconciliation and we honor those who walk with us," Chief Littlechild said.

On Sept. 27, the Oilers released a statement reflecting on the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honoring the memory of lost children and survivors of residential schools.
"We all have a critical part to play in commemorating and honouring the survivors of residential schools," Bob Nicholson, Chairman of the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club, said. "OEG is committed to continuing to build off the great work that has already been done to embrace reconciliation and build a strong and positive relationship with our Indigenous community."
To draw a deeper connection with the Indigenous communities of Oil Country, the Oilers partnered with designer and artist Lance Cardinal of Bigstone Cree Nation to create a special team logo debuted Monday.
"The logo, which features a stylized Oilers mark incorporated into the body of a turtle and highlighted by eagle feathers, represents creation, wisdom and spirituality with surrounding colors blue, green, gold and white all culturally significant to the Cree people," the Oilers said in a statement Wednesday. "The turtle is a reference to Turtle Island, the land mass upon which all 32 NHL teams compete."
On the ice for the presentation and singing of the United States and Canadian national anthems were distinguished elders Chief Littlechild (Treaty 6 First Nations), Grand Chief Arthur Noskie (Treaty 8 First Nations), Audrey Poitras (Metis Nation of Alberta Provincial President) and Edna Elias (Inuit Elder).
Kiya Bruno, a member of Samson Cree Nation, sung a special rendition of the Canadian national anthem in both English and Cree. The Oilers also posted on social media in both languages leading up to the game.
"The Oilers are proud to have a long-standing relationship with the Indigenous community and we are fortunate to have so many passionate Indigenous fans who represent a vital part of the fabric of our club," Tim Shipton, the EVP of Corporate Affairs at Oilers Entertainment Group, said.