As part of Truth and Reconciliation Day, Canada Soccer highlighted Victoria-based, 'Namgis artist for coming up with an Indigenous design for Canada Soccer in honour of Canadian residential school survivors, their families and students who didnB次元官网网址檛 make it home.
In a news release, Zuroski explained that both his grandmother and his uncle attended St. Michaels Residential School in Alert Bay, which operated until 1974 and was demolished in 2015.
He explained that Indigenous Peoples are still affected by the "systemic tragedies" that occurred at the schools, and the resulting traumas associated with residential schools still exist today.
B次元官网网址淭his design highlights our Indigenous ancestors, their stories, their connection to soccer and how the sport has been a saviour to their lives and many others, across this country," he said in the release. "Through soccer, we come together, learn, listen, unite and do our best to build community connections. Like the butterfly and wolf, weB次元官网网址檙e reminded that transformation happens each day. Together, as a pack, letB次元官网网址檚 heal, grow and fly as a nation.B次元官网网址�
With the design, he mentioned wanting to honour his uncle Alex Nelson, a longtime soccer coach who founded the Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Association of BC. He was also inducted into the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, the North American Indigenous Games Hall of Fame and soon CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Sports Hall of Fame.
"Alex is truly a builder of culture and community. He coached me many times in life and continues to teach me every day, of how to become a better person and contributor to society, while embracing our cultural knowledge," noted Zuroski in the release.
