KW Titans host first Orange Jersey basketball game in Ontario

The KW Titans partnered with the Orange Shirt Society and the Orange Jersey Project to host Ontario's first-ever Orange Jersey basketball game.

The KW Titans partnered with Indigenous organizations to host what is being described as Ontario’s first Orange Jersey basketball game.

The event, which started at 4 p.m. Saturday, aimed to raise awareness for residential school survivors and the Every Child Matters movement.

Phyllis Webstad, founder of the Orange Shirt Society, attended as a special guest. Her story inspired Orange Shirt Day, which honours survivors of residential schools.

More than 2,000 people were in attendance. Webstad addressed the crowd, noting in particular the proximity of the Mohawk Institute in Brantford.

“I am glad that we are creating conversations,” she told the crowd.

The game also featured cultural programming, including a traditional smudging ceremony, drumming and dance performances.

The Titans wore specially designed orange jerseys as part of the initiative.

With reporting from Krista Simspon