The Winnipeg Jets are ready to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of the South Asian community in Manitoba with their second annual South Asian Heritage Night presented by Canada Life on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. when they face the Colorado Avalanche at the Canada Life Centre. The event will feature a variety of cultural elements, including food, music, dancing, art, and a special logo inspired by traditional South Asian art forms.
A unique logo for a unique night
The South Asian Heritage Jets logo, which will appear on the players’ jerseys during warmup, was designed by Charmi Sheth, a graphic designer from Winnipeg, in collaboration with the Winnipeg Jets Creative Services team and Waseem Shaikh, the creative director at Ethnicity Matters, an agency that specializes in multicultural marketing and engagement.
The logo is inspired by Rangoli, a traditional art form that signifies happiness and good luck and is practiced mostly during celebratory events. The details that fill the Jets’ logo are inspired by Henna patterns and Bandhani designs, which are common in South Asian textiles and clothing. The logo also incorporates the colors of the flags of the eight countries that make up the South Asian region: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The logo represents the diversity and vibrancy of the various cultures that make up the South Asian community and celebrates their contributions to Manitoba and Canada.
A night of fun and entertainment
The South Asian Heritage Night will also feature a variety of cultural performances and activities throughout the game, including:
- A pre-game performance by the Bhangra Idols, a group of dancers who promote the folk dance of Punjab, India.
- A rendition of the national anthems by Rup Magon, a singer, songwriter, and actor who is best known as the co-founder of the band Josh.
- A first intermission performance by the Winnipeg Indo-Canadian Cultural Association, a non-profit organization that promotes Indian culture and heritage in Manitoba.
- A second intermission performance by the Winnipeg Sikh Cultural and Senior Centre, a community center that provides social, recreational, and educational services to seniors and youth.
- A post-game performance by the Winnipeg Folklorama Indian Pavilion, a cultural festival that showcases the diversity of Indian culture and cuisine.
Fans will also have the opportunity to enjoy South Asian food at select concessions, purchase South Asian Heritage Jets merchandise at Jets Gear and TrueNorthShop.com, and participate in a silent auction of the warmup jerseys worn by the players, with proceeds going to Punjabi Community Health Services Manitoba (PCHS), a non-profit organization that provides health and social services to the South Asian community.
A night of inclusion and celebration
The South Asian Heritage Night is part of the Winnipeg Jets’ ongoing efforts to honor the rich and diverse cultures of fans across Manitoba and create a culture of inclusivity and belonging. The Jets have previously hosted Filipino Heritage Night in November and will host the Black History Game on Feb. 20 and WASAC Night on Feb. 25.
Josh Dudych, the director of creative services with True North Sports and Entertainment, said that the Jets want to make sure that fans of different backgrounds feel seen and acknowledged and feel that they have a place in the Jets family.
“We want to celebrate the people that make up our community and our fan base and show them that we appreciate them and we want them to be a part of our story,” he said.
Tickets for the South Asian Heritage Night are available at winnipegjets.com/tickets.
