TTC and Toronto Raptors celebrate national story of Indigenous athletes with bus and streetcar wraps

November 13, 2023

The TTC and the Toronto Raptors are partnering to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous athletes to Canadian sport at home and on the international stage.

Starting today, specially wrapped TTC buses and streetcars will feature current and former Indigenous athletes. This initiative is a commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Action 87 which calls all levels of government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples and organizations, to provide public education that tells the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history.

Eight TTC buses and five streetcars are the canvas for inspiring images, inviting riders and the public to witness eight athletes’ place in history, including:

Tom Longboat – The first Indigenous person to win the Boston Marathon (1907).
Kendra Jessie – Assistant Coach, U18, Alberta Women’s Hockey Team.
Michael Linklater – Retired number one FIBA 3x3 basketball player in Canada.
Emily Mandamin – The first person from Iskatewizaagegan to earn a full college basketball scholarship.
Joleen Mitton – Founder, All My Relations Basketball Team and Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.
Joy Spearchief-Morris – Retired three-time Canadian National Championship finalist hurdler and sprinter.
Richard Peter – Three-time Paralympic champion (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, London 2012) in wheelchair basketball.
Mike Tanton – Co-founder of One Love Basketball and the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League.

The athletes are also featured on posters in TTC stations and onboard vehicles. A QR code on each creative will direct the user to the Raptors’ Culture Page with more information on each athlete.

The campaign is running now until the end of February 2024.

Quotes:

“Let’s all celebrate the incredible contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people to sport in Canada and internationally. Sport is so powerful in helping young people reach their potential and I commend the Toronto Raptors and TTC for this inspiring campaign.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow

“The TTC is proud to partner with the Toronto Raptors in telling the national story of Indigenous athletes and their contributions to sport. Giving prominence to Indigenous athletes and educating the public with wrapped streetcars and buses is one way the TTC is honouring the diverse communities we serve.”
– TTC Chair Jamaal Myers

“We all have the collective responsibility to advance reconciliation and renew the relationship with Indigenous peoples. We are thankful and honoured for the opportunity to recognize the eight athletes featured in this initiative, and we encourage everyone to take the time to learn more about their valuable contributions to all our communities.”
– Toronto Raptors Culture, Inclusion and Impact Vice President John Wiggins

“On behalf of the 16,000 team members here at the TTC, I want to thank the Toronto Raptors for choosing to partner with us on this campaign. TTC buses and streetcars are iconic in Toronto and an ideal canvas for celebrating Indigenous athletes, inspiring people of all ages and cultures throughout the city.”
– TTC CEO Rick Leary