Vancouver Bandits Unveil New Indigenous Uniform Designed by Kwantlen First Nation Artist Jeff Dickson

LANGLEY, B.C., June 22, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits revealed a new jersey and uniform Thursday designed by Kwantlen First Nation artist Jeff Dickson ahead of the club’s upcoming Indigenous Celebration Night, which will be hosted this Sunday, June 25 when the Bandits take on the Calgary Surge at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The jersey’s primary colour is orange, which aligns with Orange Shirt Day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the Bandits’ classic brand colour. The colour orange acknowledges the intergenerational trauma associated with the residential school system and conveys the Bandits’ commitment to building relationships with Indigenous communities, events and programs across the province.

Using symbols and artistic stylization derived from traditional Kwantlen and Coast Salish artistry, Dickson has reinvented the Bandits’ orange jersey by infusing it with formline technique, imagery of cedar trees, foxes and weaving patterns that pay homage to its Indigenous inspiration.

“I wanted to create a uniform that represents ideas that are central to the Indigenous peoples of this land. Of primary importance was to consider the interaction between the environment in which the Bandits are present and their moral imperative in honouring the past, shaping the future and their commitment to Truth and Reconciliation,” Dickson said.

The new jersey will be worn for the first time this Sunday when the Bandits tip-off against the Surge at 5 p.m. PT and will be worn in concert with new game shorts that also feature a sleek and matching pattern that was designed by Dickson. Single game tickets for the game are on sale now at this link.

A percentage of the proceeds of each jersey purchased will be donated to the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society (LFVAS) following the 2023 season. Proceeds from the 50/50 draw at this Sunday’s Bandits game will also be donated to LFVAS. LFVAS provides a wide variety of services ranging from preschoolers to Elders; including personal support and family programs, as well as educational support systems

Both adult and youth sizes of the jersey are now on sale online, on game days at LEC and at the Bandits’ team store ATO Basketball Merchants.

“I have enjoyed working with the Bandits staff to develop this uniform in a manner that aligns with their desire to connect and be respectful of the awakening that has occurred since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was released by the Honourable Murray Sinclair,” Dickson said.

“The Bandits have a heartfelt interest to respect and acknowledge the history of First Nations in Canada and to work collaboratively with Kwantlen First Nation. I was humbled to be able to be part of this project and I hope it will foster further interest, education and growth about this topic.”

To learn more about the Indigenous uniform’s design and significance, the Bandits’ coaching staff, front office and roster visited Kwantlen First Nation to meet with Chief Marilyn Gabriel, elders and council members, as well as the Dickson family. 

The Bandits are honoured to wear this jersey throughout the rest of the 2023 CEBL season in an effort to contribute to the celebration of Indigenous culture and to promote stronger connections with Indigenous communities and histories across Canada.

“I would like to thank Jeff Dickson, Kwantlen First Nation and everyone who has been part of this community collaboration. It has been a privilege to pause and reflect on what these jerseys represent and to understand the depth of their symbolism. They are a testament to the beauty and sophistication of Coast Salish artistry and I know that our players and fans will wear these jerseys with pride,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Lastly, I want to thank our vice president of brand and communications, Andrew Savory, for fostering this important relationship with Jeff Dickson and Kwantlen First Nation.“

A key highlight of Vancouver’s fifth Canadian Elite Basketball League campaign will be its hosting of Championship Weekend, which takes place between Friday, August 11 and Sunday, August 13. An annual celebration of the highest level of Canadian professional basketball, Championship Weekend features a postseason format that combines three games of playoff basketball as part of a multi-day festival experience designed to celebrate the intersection of arts, culture and sport. As hosts of Championship Weekend, the Bandits receive an automatic semifinal berth.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ 2023 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca. A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.