BC Lions To Host Sixth Annual Orange Shirt Day Game

The BC Lions are proud to honour and respect Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation when we host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday, September 25 at Save-On-Foods Field at BC Place. Kickoff is 7:30 pm.

The sixth annual Orange Shirt Day game is presented by Prospera and LiUNA! Local 1611.

This special game is also supported by FortisBC, Leavitt Machinery and BC Hydro.

The first of the Friday Night Lions games encourages all fans to Wear Orange in support of Orange Shirt Day as we aim to transform the stadium into a Sea of Orange.

Dating back to 2013, the date of September 30 has been marked as Orange Shirt Day- now a federal statutory holiday- in recognition of survivors of Canada’s Indian Residential School System and their families.

"We are once again truly honoured to host the Orange Shirt Day Game for the sixth consecutive year, standing alongside the entire Canadian Football League in recognizing this significant day as well as unveiling a few new special elements," says Jamie Taras, director of community partnerships for the Lions.

“As we continue to build relationships with the Indigenous community, we are excited to include this year’s Indigenous Youth Program flag football players as part of our halftime show and host many more special guests for our Orange Shirt Day Game.”

More details were unveiled at a Tuesday media event:

Around 40 participants from the BC Lions Indigenous Youth Program flag teams who took part in this year’s practices and tournament will play on the field as part of our halftime ceremony.

We are honoured to have the founder of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis Webstad, join us at the game.

“Reconciliation is built through action, education, and a shared commitment to remembering the truth. The BC Lions have shown that commitment by standing with survivors and their families, honouring the children who never came home and creating space for reflection and learning," says Phyllis.

"Their support sends a powerful message to communities and Nations across Canada that Every Child Matters and that we all have a role to play in reconciliation.”

On the field, players will don special Orange Shirt Day warm-up jerseys, which will be raffled off in support of the Orange Shirt Society and Indian Residential Schools Survivors’ Society (IRSSS).

To enter the jersey raffle, fans can purchase a 50/50 ticket.

The club will also present a $20,000 cheque to the Orange Shirt Society and host hundreds of Residential School survivors and their families.

The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive free Orange T-Shirts.

The Lions are also proud to welcome back the Indigenous Marketplace, allowing vendors to promote and sell their products throughout the evening on the concourse.

QUOTE BOARD FOR OUR ORANGE SHIRT DAY GAME SPONSORS:

"The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) is proud to partner with the BC Lions for their annual Orange Shirt Day Game. Football has a unique ability to bring people together, and family-focused events like this one offer an opportunity for people of all ages and generations to learn, reflect and connect with the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. We’re deeply grateful to the Lions and their fans for helping turn that connection into action - not only by raising awareness, but by generating vital funds that help sustain wellness supports for Survivors, their families and those navigating intergenerational healing. It’s an honour to be part of this meaningful day, and we thank the Lions for standing with Survivors. Go Lions!”

- Angela White, IRSSS executive director.

“Orange Shirt Day came about as a way to raise awareness of the horrors of residential schools and to embrace reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. With residential school denialism on the rise online and in our communities, it is critical that we stand up to this hate and show our support for survivors.” - Nav Malhotra, business manager and secretary-treasurer of LiUNA Local 1611.

"Orange Shirt Day is an important opportunity to reflect on the lasting impacts of residential schools and to honour Survivors, their families and communities. We’re proud to collaborate with the BC Lions to bring people together for learning, reflection and meaningful conversations that advance Reconciliation and reinforce that Every Child Matters." – Janet Devaney, senior manager, community & Indigenous initiatives, FortisBC.

"Leavitt Machinery is proud to continue our partnership with the BC Lions in support of the Orange Shirt Day game. We remain committed to recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and supporting opportunities for learning, reflection, and meaningful conversation. We are honoured to stand alongside the BC Lions and communities across British Columbia in fostering greater understanding, respect and reconciliation." - John Mutis, president and chief executive officer, Leavitt Machinery.

"At BC Hydro, reconciliation is strengthened through partnership, respect, and building meaningful relationships with First Nations communities. We are proud to be part of the Orange Shirt Day game with the BC Lions, recognizing the importance of remembering the children who never returned home, honouring Survivors, and bringing communities together through shared learning and reflection."- Karen Popoff, director, Indigenous relations, BC Hydro.