Red Deer Rebels forward Dwayne Jean Jr. stands on the bench during the national anthem prior to a game between the Rebels and Medicine Hat Tigers at the Centrium on Sept. 29, a day before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. His stick reads 'Every Child Matters.' (Red Deer Rebels)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19) and Alessia Proietti

someone to look up to

Rebels’ Dwayne Jean Jr. bares soul with ‘Every Child Matters’ stick message

Oct 6, 2023 | 3:50 PM

Dwayne Jean Jr., a Red Deer Rebels forward, is sharing some of his heart with the world this week.

On Sept. 29, a day before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Jean Jr. wrote on his stick the words ‘Every Child Matters,’ a phrase synonymous with the occasion also known as Orange Shirt Day.

He finished the night with one assist, which came on the game’s opening goal by Hunter Mayo, who is also Indigenous and is Jean Jr.’s billet brother. The Rebels didn’t have a game the next day.

Now in his second season with the Rebels, the 19-year-old said he didn’t write the phrase on his stick just for himself or without much thought.

“I do it for the lost ones, and for my family members who had to go through the tragedy of residential schools. I’m also showing them my appreciation and how thankful I am to be here because of them.”

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Jean Jr.’s mother Shauna is from Kinuso (ᑭᓄᓭᐤ/kinosêw) Cree Nation, a small community near Slave Lake, and his father Dwayne is from Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, a Dene people, near Fort McMurray. He says when he was younger, they gave him everything in order to succeed, including a backyard rink.

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“I’ve got both bloodlines in me, which is pretty cool,” he says, sharing that his grandparents — his kokom and mosom — went to residential school.

Dwayne Jean Jr., #22 for the Red Deer Rebels. (Red Deer Rebels)

“I feel like the more that we get to know what happened in history, the more we get to respect those people and see where those people come from, their life struggles they have to battle through. I just want everyone to know that Native people aren’t just given everything in life. We overcame things and we’re still continuing to overcome things that happened.”

He continues, “Even with everything still going on to this day, with us fighting for our land in many places, fighting for our own stuff back, I just want people to know that Indigenous people are hard-working people, just like everyone else.”

Jean Jr. feels attitudes toward Indigenous people have begun to change in recent years, but there’s still the odd occasion when racism will rear its ugly head.

“I’ve lived on the reserve, and I feel like Indigenous youth don’t get the opportunities every other kid gets. The message on my stick is partially because I want younger kids to have someone to look up to, someone to be like,” says Jean Jr., who also showed up to the rink last Friday with an orange shirt and socks.

“It’s about giving back to my community, and using my platform as a way to give my heart to Indigenous youth. It’s about saying this is what it took me to get here and if you ever need that path, I’m always here, I want to be a role model and help you get to that next level.”

Western Hockey League teams are continuing to sport Truth and Reconciliation helmet decals in games through Oct. 9. The decals were designed by Métis artist Kim Vizi-Carmen of Pinerock Graphics, and feature the WHL logo anchored by the traditional Medicine Wheel, which represents the four directions of North, East, South, and West; spirituality in its various forms – mental, emotional, and physical; as well as elders, parents, youth, and children.

The WHL is now in its second year supporting the Orange Shirt Society, which was founded based off the story of Phyllis Webstad and her orange shirt.

Jean Jr. says his mission and message don’t end after one hockey game.

“I’m going to continue to do it. The days are not over, they just keep on coming, so I’m looking to do this for as many days in a row as I can,” says Jean, whose advocacy on this subject dates back a few years. “I want to show the people who are gone that I miss them, I love them, and that I’m thankful I can be here to support them, because they didn’t have support back then.”

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SUPPORT: If you are a survivor of or family member impacted by the residential school system and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419