On September 29, 2022, the Western Hockey League and Orange Shirt Society announced a new partnership, including support of the Orange Jersey Project.

As we engage in the process of Truth and Reconciliation, it is important for Canadians to remember and recognize thousands of years’ worth of Indigenous history. We recognize the various traditional lands, acknowledging the Nations whom have had relationships with the lands on which we are all so privileged to stand on today.

As a part of the WHL’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, we have worked with the Orange Shirt Society to present a map of western Canada, complete with the borders of traditional Indigenous lands and the historical land acknowledgments that accompany them.

Treaty 1 Territory

The Brandon Wheat Kings are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Michif Piyii (Métis), Red River Metis, Cree, Dakota, and Anishininiimowin (Oji-Cree) peoples.

The Winnipeg ICE are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene peoples, and homeland of the Metis Nation.

Treaty 4 Territory

The Moose Jaw Warriors are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), and Michif Piyii (Métis) peoples.

The Regina Pats are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Saulteaux (Plains Ojibwa), Plains Cree, and Assiniboine territory.

The Swift Current Broncos are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Cree, Lakota, Nakoda, Saulteaux, Dakota and Metis peoples.

Treaty 6 Territory

The Edmonton Oil Kings are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ ᐊᐢᑭᕀ Nêhiyaw-Askiy (Plains Cree), Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney), Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Tsuut’ina, Michif Piyii (Métis), and Cree peoples.

The Red Deer Rebels are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney), Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Tsuut’ina, Michif Piyii (Métis), and Cree peoples.

The Saskatoon Blades are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Plains Cree and the Metis Nation homeland.

The Prince Albert Raiders are privileged to play on the Metis Nation homeland.

Treaty 7 Territory

The Calgary Hitmen are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Ktunaxa ɁamakɁis, Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney), Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Tsuut’ina, and Michif Piyii (Métis) peoples.

The Red Deer Rebels are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney), Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Tsuut’ina, Michif Piyii (Métis), and Cree peoples.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Ktunaxa ɁamakɁis, Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Tsuut’ina, and Michif Piyii (Métis) peoples.

The Medicine Hat Tigers are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), and Michif Piyii (Métis) peoples.

Secwepemcúl’ecw (Secwépemc) Territory

The Kamloops Blazers are privileged to play on the traditional lands of Secwepemcúl’ecw (Secwépemc) peoples of British Columbia.

Syilx (Okanagan) Territory

The Kelowna Rockets are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, Nłeʔkepmx Tmíxʷ (Nlaka’pamux), Syilx (Okanagan), and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Lheidli T’enneh Territory

The Prince George Cougars are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Dakeł Keyoh (ᑕᗸᒡ ᗲᘏᑋ), Lheidli T’enneh, and Dënéndeh peoples.

Tsawwassen First Nation Territory

The Vancouver Giants are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Tsawwassen First Nation. The Langley Events Centre, located in the city of Langley, falls within the territory of the Tsawwassen First Nation.

Douglas Treaties Territory

The Victoria Royals are privileged to play on the traditional lands of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, Á,LEṈENEȻ ȽTE (W̱SÁNEĆ), Lekwungen/Songhees, and Te’mexw Treaty Association peoples.

As a part of the WHL’s commitment to supporting the purposes of the Orange Shirt Society, the WHL has commissioned a special WHL Truth and Reconciliation logo, designed by Métis artist Kim Vizi-Carmen of Pinerock Graphics.

The WHL Truth and Reconciliation logo features the WHL logo anchored by the traditional Medicine Wheel, which represents the four directions of North, East, South, and West; spirituality in its various forms – mental, emotional, and physical; as well as our elders, parents, youth, and children.

Traditionally, stars act as our guide or a compass to provide direction. The four stars depicted above the WHL logo incorporate this while also representing the four divisions – East, Central, B.C. and U.S. – along with the players and talent of the WHL.

The top of the WHL Truth and Reconciliation logo features two feathers representing honesty, truth and wisdom. At the base of the logo are antlers representing courage and strength. Where the antlers meet one will find the sun and the moon. The inclusion of the sun brings warmth, healing, and peace, while the moon serves as our protector, guardian spirit, and transformation.

Ultimately, the WHL Truth and Reconciliation logo provides guidance in practical endeavours as well as a spiritual identity.