Kodiaks unveil new jerseys with Indigenous connection
By Lethbridge Herald on September 29, 2023.
The Lethbridge College Kodiaks unveiled their new Indigenous jerseys on Friday as part of Truth and Reconciliation week.
Lethbridge College photoJustin Seward – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – sports@lethbridgeherald.com
The Lethbridge College Kodiaks unveiled their new Indigenous jerseys on Friday in conjunction with activities surrounding Truth and Reconciliation.
“Obviously, we’ve been going through a lot of our Indigenous reconnection with athletics and the college,” said Todd Caughlin, Lethbridge College’s director of athletics and recreation services.
“And been working closely with our Indigenous Services department, and our elders, and grandparents at the college and of course with our marketing team, (who) had the idea that maybe the next step after doing our floor and getting blessed with our name and logo that we should try and create some Indigenous jerseys for our teams to wear on special occasions.
“Lucky enough for us, we got the support from the institution and we came up with our designs. We had obviously our Indigenous artists with our bear from earlier ,and we just incorporated that, and this is our next step and we’re very excited to be able to show the world what we come up with.”
Lethbridge College introduced a new Indigenous logo over a year ago, a new gym floor and the name ‘Aikowania,’ which is in reference to body awareness and movement.
The name further includes strength, stamina and a sharp mind needed to spring into action at a moment’s notice.
Lethbridge College felt adamant with being gifted ‘Aikowania’ and the bear.
“We wanted that to be our focus,” said Caughlin.
“When you see them, you will see that the bear and the symbols that coordinate with it are the focus of the jersey. We’ve still managed to be very creative with adding like the mountain and the water symbols. But also just a beautiful art design on all the jerseys, either on the side, on the short cuff, across the neck and also on the collars, those kind of pieces and actually in the numbers themselves will have the art piece to it. It helps the numbers stand out.
“But again, we’re really focused on honouring what we’ve been gifted and that’s pretty much what has sold this.”
The jersey’s debut will be by the soccer and cross-country teams today on Truth and Reconciliation Day during their events and will be worn on special occasions.
Lowell Yellowhorn, Lethbridge College’s Indigenous Services manager, explained the symbols meanings and significance, while information cards were handed out to event attendees.
Lethbridge College recently won the Canadian College Athletic Association’s Innovation award for the “We are Aikowania” video and for their efforts within the facility for reconciliation initiatives.
15-14
Am I the only one who feels this ” reconciliation” stuff has reached it limits and is now well into the absurd ???