As part of Truth and Reconciliation Day, Canada Soccer highlighted Victoria-based, 'Namgis artist Jamin Zuroski for coming up with an Indigenous design for Canada Soccer in honour of Canadian residential school survivors, their families and students who didn’t make it home.
In a news release, Zuroski explained that both his grandmother and his uncle attended St. Michaels Residential School in Alert Bay, which operated until 1974 and was demolished in 2015.
He explained that Indigenous Peoples are still affected by the "systemic tragedies" that occurred at the schools, and the resulting traumas associated with residential schools still exist today.
“This design highlights our Indigenous ancestors, their stories, their connection to soccer and how the sport has been a saviour to their lives and many others, across this country," he said in the release. "Through soccer, we come together, learn, listen, unite and do our best to build community connections. Like the butterfly and wolf, we’re reminded that transformation happens each day. Together, as a pack, let’s heal, grow and fly as a nation.“
With the design, he mentioned wanting to honour his uncle Alex Nelson, a longtime soccer coach who founded the Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Association of BC. He was also inducted into the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, the North American Indigenous Games Hall of Fame and soon Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
"Alex is truly a builder of culture and community. He coached me many times in life and continues to teach me every day, of how to become a better person and contributor to society, while embracing our cultural knowledge," noted Zuroski in the release.
