Photo courtesy PWPSD

By Erika Rolling

High School Sports

PWA rugby team honours Indigenous heritage with new jerseys

Jun 19, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Indigenous representation is now on the rugby field thanks to Peace Wapiti Academy athletes and their coach.

New jerseys, designed through a collaboration of students, school staff and the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre’s Natascha Okimaw, now represent more than just Titan pride.

Ms. Sandboe-Goleniec, coach of the PWA rugby team, said in a release the project was inspired by one of her players of Indigenous descent who shows great pride in her heritage.

“Last year she had these beautiful leggings with Indigenous art in PWA colours. When I started thinking about getting new jerseys to replace our old ones, I couldn’t get her leggings out of my head. I realized that we could get new jerseys and share a message at the same time.” -Ms. Sandboe-Goleniec

PWA Titans Rugby team sporting new Indigenous design jerseys. Photo courtesy PWPSD.

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Displayed on the front of the jerseys is a curved design meant to represent Treaty 8 territory.

“We felt the curving design represented Peace Wapiti well. We envisioned the two curves as being the Peace River and Wapiti River, and how they come together.” -Ms. Sandboe-Goleniec

On each sleeve is a handprint; one red for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and one orange to represent residential school survivors.

Also, above each player’s number on the back is “Peace Wapiti Academy” in Cree syllabics.

Coach Sandboe-Goleniec notes her players show pride and respect while wearing the new jerseys, making mention of how cool they look and how pleased they are with the representation they now get to show off.