Following these celebrations, fans also gave praise to the commissioned Indigenous art featured in the games from the beginning. Four Indigenous artists from Atlantic Canada were chosen to hand-paint a total of 200 hockey sticks: Lorne Julien, Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Robin Jipjaweg Paul, and Nathalie Sappier. Sharing Indigenous art in popular culture, such as through hockey sticks or jerseys, amplifies the knowledge, philosophies, and stories of communities that have been silenced by colonialism. These Indigenous designs are amplifying the roots of hockey in a meaningful way, while hopefully making room for young Indigenous hockey players to join the sport. #RepresentationMatters #indigenousdesigner @Oil_Foundation @EdmontonOilers pic.twitter.com/tsVm1h5Lyi — Lance Cardinal (@lancecardinal75) November 28, 2022The importance of representing Indigenous designs in hockey is a meaningful step towards reconciliation and celebrating Indigenous histories.

Source: CBC News January 31, 2023 19:13 UTC