I attended a Pacific FC game for the first time since 2019 and the entire experience was nostalgic. It was incredible to finally attend a sporting event. I felt like I was a child again experiencing a taste of the good old days.
As a I walked into the stadium, I saw a man walk by with an orange scarf in his hand and saw the words “Every Child Matters” on it. I headed to the booth he had just left and purchased two scarves.
My daughter and I wore them at the game. The scarves have the word “Naut’sa mawt” “and “Every Child Matters” on them, and a small Pacific FC logo. The word “Naut’sa mawt” means “working together as one.” There are many variations of this word and each one has a slightly different meaning, but similar sentiment.
Before the game started, the players from the Pacific FC and Cavalry FC stood together and both teams wore the orange scarves.
I have never seen an opposing team wear the logo of another team and I thought it was fantastic. Not because of the logo, but it showed both teams stood together in honouring residential school survivors. Watching this happen demonstrated how two groups of people with different views, sometimes opposing, can stand together when they find common ground, and for things that matter.
At the game, Pacific FC sold 50 per cent of its orange scarf inventory. I saw many people wearing orange scarves and it felt good to be part of the demonstration of solidarity.
I followed up to learn more about the orange scarves after the game. The Pacific FC orange scarves are a limited edition, with 100 per cent of the profits going to Indigenous communities across Vancouver Island.
When the first announcement, and all of the subsequent announcements, of the unmarked graves uncovered at residential schools came to light, it felt like a big step back.
I’ve spoken with many Indigenous people who knew about these missing children, and many have known for decades the names of family members who never came home. For others, this was the first time that they had heard about this. Our country was forced to pause and take a step back.
I firmly believe in taking time to learn, understand and offer respect to the missing children and their families. I believe that as we do this, it is helping us take a step forward. When groups come together such as the walks Penelakut Tribe and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations hosted, or with the Pacific FC standing in unison with an opposing team wearing orange scarves, it isn’t just about taking a step forward, it is taking a step forward together. Remember “Naut’sa mawt” means “working together as one.”
This week, we also a took another step back with the mandated mask wearing indoors, and our response to this can be another way we can take a step forward together. I am double-vaccinated and enjoyed the freedom of being able to choose if I wanted to wear a mask.
Starting on Wednesday I put my mask back on and will continue to wear it until told otherwise.
I am a firm believer that even when I have to take a step back, it’s a better use of my time to focus on moving forward, and if we can do it together, the stronger we can be.
