The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) is proud to support a new nation-wide initiative born in Manitoba, the Orange Jersey Project. The Orange Jersey Project (OJP) is designed to encourage action for Truth & Reconciliation while helping educate young athletes about the history of the Indian Residential School system in Canada.
Orange Jersey Project kicks off on October 1, 2021, with an online auction which will include a one-of-a-kind jersey approved by the Orange Shirt Society featuring active National Hockey League players, National Hockey League alumni, National Women’s Team players and more. Participating players represent various cultural backgrounds including Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens), Ethan Bear (Carolina Hurricanes), Ryan Pulock (New York Islanders), Brian Trottier (NHL Hall of Fame Inductee), Women’s hockey Olympians Brigette Lacquette and Jocelyne Larocque. The player roster also includes MJHL alumni such as Zach Whitecloud (Vegas Golden Knights), Brady Keeper (Vancouver Canucks), and former Philadelphia Flyers great Reggie Leach. Over 35 players will have their signed Orange Jersey Project jerseys auctioned October 1-3 with all funds donated to the Orange Shirt Society.
Also this season the OJP will send 10,000 orange practice jerseys to youth hockey teams across Canada to spark dialogue about Indian residential schools and their harmful impact on Indigenous children and families. Along with the jerseys, learning tools and resources will be provided by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund for player engagement off the ice.
Coaches and athletes can visit the Orange Jersey Project website, www.orangejerseyproject.ca, to join the wait list to receive their team orange practice jerseys and curriculum program.
Throughout each season the MJHL and it’s member clubs acknowledge that they compete on Treaty 1, Treaty 2, Treaty 4, and Treaty 5 lands, collectively the traditional territories of Anishinaabe, Assiniboine, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, and Inninnowuk peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.
