Six Nations Snipers to honour the Lost Children of Residential Schools
The Six Nations Snipers of the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) are grateful to announce that during the upcoming 2022 ALL season, the team will wear Orange jersey’s displaying a unique Every Child Matters logo to honor the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.
“Being a grandson of a residential school survivor, I’m honoured that our team will represent the survivors that were able to return to their families, and the spirits that never made it home,” said Snipers General Manager and Head Coach Darcy Powless. “Every lacrosse season we always play for those who can't, this year it has even more meaning."
The Snipers are part of the seven team ALL East division and the majority of the team are indigenous players, many of whom ancestors were lost or survivors of residential schools. The jersey being worn by the team will have Every Child Matters replace the traditional Six Nations Snipers name on the front of the jersey and was designed by Hannah Leaf. At season’s end in early April, the jerseys will be auctioned off with all proceeds being donated to the Woodland Cultural Center which was once the residential school that housed Darcy's granny and other family members. The Center has a Save the Evidence Charity set up to preserve the building and help Survivors.
“The Arena Lacrosse League and our staff are disheartened by the continued findings of mass graves at various Canadian sites. Since the discoveries of the lost children, the injustice and unfair treatment of the Indigenous people has been brought to the forefront. It is the league’s hope that by honouring those that were lost will bring healing to Indigenous communities,” stated Paul St. John, President of the Arena Lacrosse League.
The ALL also announced that each of the 7 teams as well as the 4 teams in the newly formed ALL West Division based in Langley, B.C. will wear Every Child Matters patches on their jerseys to honour the lost children and survivors.
About the Arena Lacrosse League: Proud partners of the National Lacrosse League, the 'ALL' is highly recognized as the "Official Minor League of the NLL". Established in 2017, the ALL operates a seven team East Division based in Ontario, Canada, as well as a four team West Division based at Langley Events Centre in the Township of Langley. The ALL provides a high-level development league for players, coaches, and officials with professional aspirations. Currently in it’s fifth year of operation, the ALL has provided over 100 players to the NLL.
The current ALL East Division in Ontario features the Oshawa Outlaws, Paris Riverwolves, Peterborough Timbermen, Six Nations Snipers, St. Catharines Shockwave, Toronto Monarchs and Whitby Steelhawks.
To learn more about the league, visit www.arenalacrosseleague.ca.