Canada West members commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Student-athletes and teams take an active role in amplifying Indigenous voices, promoting education and reflection.
Sept. 29, 2025 – Canada West members are joining Canadians nationwide in commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.
Across the conference, teams have acknowledged the importance of Truth and Reconciliation through a range of initiatives that promote reflection and awareness. These efforts include cultural learning and community engagement opportunities such as the Clash of the Clans basketball tournament hosted at the Nisga’a Nation in northern B.C., as well as wearing orange shirts and uniforms featuring Indigenous artwork. Many Canada West members have also amplified the voices of their Indigenous student-athletes through feature stories and videos.
Since 2023, Canada West has committed to keeping Sept. 30 free of scheduled competition, encouraging student-athletes and teams to use the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a time for reflection, learning, and meaningful connection with Indigenous leaders, elders, and knowledge keepers.
Truth and Reconciliation Initiatives across CW
Recognizing both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, members from across CW have planned special initiatives to honour the Survivors of residential schools, recognize their experience, and show a collective commitment to ensure that Every Child Matters.
Here are some of the initiatives taking place across the conference:
Brandon Bobcats
The Bobcat women's volleyball team recently visited Kahkewistahaw First Nation - near Broadview, Sask. - for a special tour and intrasquad game, and produced a video detailing the experience.
UBC Thunderbirds
- On Saturday afternoon, the UBC Thunderbirds women’s rugby team wore warm up tops and their newly designed jerseys featuring Musqueam Artwork titled “Thunderbird Takes Flight,” designed and created by Musqueam Artist Deanna-Marie Point.
- Following a bye-week this past weekend, the Thunderbirds women’s soccer team will wear custom orange shirts during warm up ahead of their home match on Friday evening, Oct. 3.
Regina Cougars
- The Regina Cougars women’s hockey team travelled to Thunderchild First Nation in late August for cultural learning, community engagement, and an intrasquad game. A behind-the-scenes video produced by the Cougars captured how student-athletes immersed themselves in the experience, highlighting the team’s efforts to learn, connect, and grow through this unique opportunity.
Clash of the Clans at Nisga’a Nation
- After a successful debut last fall, Canada West basketball returned to the Nisga’a Nation in northern B.C. last weekend for the second annual Clash of the Clans. The pre-season tournament expanded to eight teams, featuring both men’s and women’s draws. The women’s side featured Fraser Valley, Calgary, Winnipeg and UNBC, while the men’s field included UNBC, MacEwan, Regina and the Nisga’a Select All-Stars. Beyond the exhibition matchups, the event also provided student-athletes with a meaningful cultural exchange, emphasizing leadership and connection with local youth through the game of basketball.
View additional photos and video of the event on the Clash of the Clans Instagram account.
UNBC Timberwolves
- Last Saturday, the UNBC Timberwolves hosted their annual Nats’ilnik Game, presented by Scotiabank. The Timberwolves wore orange t-shirts during warmup before sporting their third jerseys featuring Indigenous artwork designed by Gitxsan artist Trevor Angus. These jerseys, created in 2021, made UNBC the first college or university athletic program in Canada to unveil an alternate logo and jersey designed completely by an Indigenous artist. Honoured guests at Saturday’s game included residents of the McLeod Lake Indian Band and Grant West and Tracy Peters who performed an incredible halftime dance.
Calgary Dinos
- The Dinos hosted a special halftime show at their football game on Saturday featuring the UCalgary Indigenous Students' Circle, as well as dancers and drummers from the Siksika and Tsuut'ina Nations.
Lethbridge Pronghorns
- The Pronghorns rugby and soccer teams wore orange for warmup during their games last weekend. The Horns have also published a feature story on women's rugby student-athlete Seq'hiya Simmons.
Trinity Western Spartans
- The Spartans are producing a video feature on women's hockey student-athlete Kailey Ledoux that will be published on Sept. 30.
Victoria Vikes
- The Vikes are producing a video feature spotlighting the Indigenous artists who designed their women’s rugby and men’s basketball jerseys.
Saskatchewan Huskies
- The Huskies kicked off their cross country season on Sept. 20 by hosting the third annual Dakota Classic at the Dakota Dunes Golf Links. The Dakota Classic became the first Canada West varsity meet to be held on a First Nation when it was first hosted in 2023. Competing student-athletes from Manitoba, Regina, Alberta, and Saskatchewan wore orange singlets during this year's race, acknowledging and supporting residential school survivors. The host Huskies earned both team titles at this year's event.
UBCO Heat
- Earlier this Spring, members of the UBCO Heat men’s and women’s volleyball teams travelled to Nunavut to volunteer their time working with Volleyball Nunavut. In helping to facilitate the Nunavut Youth Volleyball Development program, the Heat enjoyed a memorable visit to the Northern Territory working with local schools and youth teams, helping Indigenous athletes access high-level volleyball skills development and mentorship. The program has led to an increase of enrolment and participation in volleyball in the territory, helping Nunavut compete at events like the North American Indigenous Games and the Canada Summer Games. Look for a feature story on the trip to be published tomorrow on the Canada West website.
Canada West TV
- All Canada West TV broadcasts incorporated Truth and Reconciliation–themed scoreboards last weekend.
About Canada West
As the leading university athletic conference in the country, Canada West is home to student-athletes that excel in the classroom and their communities. The conference is comprised of 17 member institutions spanning from Victoria to Winnipeg, with over 3,200 student-athletes competing across 14 sports. Canada West’s mission is to train leaders and build champions by providing leadership in the delivery, regulation, and promotion of university level high performance sports programs throughout western Canada.