Over the next several weeks, the Canadian Football League (CFL) will join the country in honouring Indigenous peoples and cultures in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. The league and its nine member clubs consulted with local Indigenous communities to plan various initiatives and game day events to not only reflect on the past, but to also promote education, raise awareness and inspire action.
The initiatives align with several of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, including:
- No. 83 – Commemoration
- Nos. 87 and 88 – Sports and Reconciliation
- No. 92 – Business and Reconciliation
GAMES COMMEMORATING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
(All times in ET)
WEEK 17
- September 25 | TOR at WPG | 8 p.m.
- September 25 | SSK at BC | 10:30 p.m.
- September 26 | CGY at OTT | 3 p.m.
- September 26 | HAM at EDM | 7 p.m.
WEEK 18
- October 2 | HAM at OTT | 7 p.m.
- October 2 | CGY at SSK | 9:30 p.m.
- October 3 | WPG at MTL | 7 p.m.
CFL/LCF INDIGENOUS-THEMED LOGO
Available in English and French, the CFL/LCF logo has undergone an Indigenous redesign to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Created in consultation with National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak alongside three Indigenous artists from ChangeMakers, a national communications firm, the logo features “Turtle Island,” which holds cultural and spiritual significance. The term is used by many Indigenous Nations in reference to the creation story of North and Central America.
Turtle Island is illustrated in the Eastern Woodlands Indigenous Art style and each letter of the logo has been illustrated by an Indigenous artist from a different part of Canada with the C from the West Coast, the F from Central Canada and the L from the East Coast. The CFL’s red, grey and black have been maintained with the addition of a warm yellow to reference the Indigenous medicine wheel. An outer ring of the logo has been added and divided into four quadrants to represent the teachings around the four directions, the stages of life, the aspects of being and the natural world.
ORANGE AND WHITE PRE-GAME JERSEYS
All dressed players will wear orange and white pre-game jerseys prior to games during Week 17 with the new 2026 versions featuring the team’s Indigenous-themed logos.
Montreal will participate in the initiative when hosting Winnipeg in Week 18. Some teams have elected to raffle or auction the commemorative jerseys with portions of the proceeds going towards local Indigenous communities and initiatives, while others will be donated to community members and organizations.
ORANGE GAME BALLS FOR KICKING
The league and Wilson have developed customized footballs, featuring orange laces, orange Wilson branding and each club’s Indigenous logo. During Week 17, and Week 18 in Montreal, the balls will be featured in-game for all kicking and punting purposes. Following their use, balls will be auctioned or used as gifting to recognize Indigenous leaders and community members.
POWERING CHANGE THROUGH FOOTBALL
Capital Power and the CFL are expanding the Powering Change Through Football program, which leverages the sport to educate Canadians, amplify Indigenous voices and create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth.
Building on the first year of the partnership, the 2026 program grows with an additional Indigenous youth flag football clinic led by CFL players and alumni – bringing the total to four – with two separate one-day events in Edmonton and one in each of Calgary and Hamilton. Participants will receive all associated equipment to continue playing, creating a lasting impact in the communities. Capital Power and the CFL will also introduce a new eight-week flag football program designed to deepen community engagement, support sustained skills development and create greater access to the game for Indigenous youth.
Capital Power also returns as the Official Partner of the Truth and Reconciliation Donation Program, which matches up to $30,000 in sales from the CFL and New Era’s Truth and Reconciliation sideline collection. In 2025, the program saw Capital Power match the full $30,000 amount with proceeds going to Indigenous Youth Roots. This year, the program will once again support the youth-led organization that works with communities to provide programs, grants and opportunities to empower Indigenous youth across Canada.
FUTURE STARS FLAG FOOTBALL CLINIC
The Kativik Regional Government and the CFL have partnered to conduct the Future Stars Flag Football Clinic. Developed through the guidance of community advisors, the program welcomes two CFL alumni to serve as Arctic Ambassadors, who will help empower Inuit youth through sport and leadership. Four youth participants will be selected as program ambassadors to continue championing flag football throughout the community.
LEAGUE-WIDE COMMEMORATIONS
CFL teams have organized various celebrations and events, which may include:
- Use of Indigenous-designed logos with proceeds from associated merchandise being donated to local groups and organizations
- Performances of O Canada in Indigenous languages
- Indigenous leaders, community members, groups, youth, and residential school survivors and their families welcomed to, or honoured at, games
- Indigenous musicians and artists will perform during games and at events
- Events demonstrating and celebrating Indigenous sport, culture and art
- Commemorative giveaways
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Several teams have elected to welcome Indigenous leaders, community members and/or organizations to educate staff and answer questions surrounding Truth and Reconciliation. Various educational resources may also be shared to encourage further reflection and continued learning.
CONTENT
The league office and teams will create content to highlight Indigenous culture and community members, including:
- A spotlight on the creation of the CFL/LCF Indigenous-themed logo
- Celebrations of the ties between the Indigenous community and sports
- Spotlights on Indigenous athletes
The centralized content hub supported by Capital Power and the Kativik Regional Government will collect the league’s stories on Truth and Reconciliation and amplify their reach. All content will be amplified across social media channels to encourage meaningful dialogue and promote learning.
