The Ottawa REDBLACKS will honour the country’s Indigenous people on Saturday when they host the Toronto Argonauts, before visiting the BC Lions on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
In addition to wearing special helmet decals to honour the day, the REDBLACKS players will be sporting t-shirts designed by Mike Ivall, an Indigenous artist from the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations. The shirts will also be available for fans to purchase at the game and through the rest of September. All proceeds from the sale of the shirts and hoodies are being directed to First Assist, an Indigenous led charitable organization that delivers positive youth development programs for Indigenous youth.
REDBLACKS staff will wear commemorative pins on Saturday, while the programming at TD Place will include a performance by throat singers.
Just prior to kickoff at 7 PM, the official coin toss will be conducted by John Chabot, an Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi First Nation outside of Maniwaki. The former NHLer is the founder of First Assist.
