Swans Unveil Indigenous-inspired Jerseys at Manotick Polo Grounds
The Ottawa Swans became the first Australian Rules Football Club in North America (which boasts 41 Clubs in Canada, 47 in the USA) to have an Indigenous Round.
The idea started in 2019 when Indigenous players on the team wanted to do something akin to the Indigenous Round that occurs in Australia, that would be a recognition and celebration of Indigenous Culture.
Jordan Harcombe and Rob Harbic set about trying to find an artist to design a jersey to commemorate the occasion. After a while searching, they came across the work of Kanyen’keha/Mohawk Artist Kory Parkin, who has previously designed jerseys for the Belleville Senators (AHL), Toronto Rock (NLL), Hamilton Bulldogs and Erie Otters (OHL) who was commissioned by the Club following some fundraising. As the ball started rolling, Blyth Academy Glebe came aboard as a community partner to sponsor full sets for the Men’s and Women’s+ teams.
The jersey is of an indigenized Swan interwoven with lines representing the importance of rivers in the Ottawa-Gatineau area as a means to travel, and the circles representing meeting places, acknowledging the importance of the region as a traditional area of trade. ‘Ottawa’ is derived from the Anishinabe word ‘Odawa’ which means ‘to trade’.
The jerseys made their debut at the Swans Doubleheader home opener vs the Hamilton Wildcats at Manotick Polo Grounds (1600 Bankfield Rd), where all those attending, players and spectators alike, where invited on the field for a special opening ceremony. Swans player Connor Adair, Metis, offered tobacco to Mr. Greg Meekis, Ojibwe Cree from Sandy Lake First Nation, Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Resource Coordinator with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, who then provided a land acknowledgement and smudging followed by a song and drum. This was followed by a spectacular display of Hoop Dancing by Makhena Rankin-Guerin, Anishinabe.
The Men took to the field after, and following 80 minutes of play they came out victorious 80 – 8. The Women+ capped the special day with a strong 32 – 8 victory.
The Swans will continue to wear the Indigenous jerseys for the remainder of their home games this season, and look forward to beginning to offer free Aussie Rules clinics for Indigenous Youths through a collaboration with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre this summer.
The Swans next home games are July 20th starting at 2pm at their home field (1600 Bankfield Rd) admission is free, a BBQ and concessions are available for purchase and a free junior football clinic is offered for children of all ages during the halftime.
Featured Image: The Ottawa Swans hosted a special Indigenous celebration and unveiled their new Indigenous-inspired jerseys in June at the Manotick Polo Grounds. (Roman Romanovich photo)
