Indigenous People in Sport

Edmonton Elks

Elks unveil Indigenous logo created by artist Conrad Plews

The Edmonton Elks are the latest CFL team to add an Indigenous logo, as the team unveiled a new look.

781: A Story of Sports and Survival in Canadian Residential School

A five-part series on the traumatic effects of the residential school system, aiming for a deeper understanding of Truth, Reconciliation and Calls to Action.

Part One: Life at Residential School

A five-part series on the traumatic effects of the residential school system, aiming for a deeper understanding of Truth, Reconciliation and Calls to Action.

Part 2: Life Beyond Residential School

Eugene Arcand focuses on his dysfunctional life as a young adult and athlete and getting to a better place.

Part 3: Life with Hockey

Eugene Arcand shares his stories of his hockey heroes.

Part 4: Life with Truth, Reconciliation and Calls to Action

Eugene Arcand gets into the hard realities of Truth, Reconciliation and Calls to Action and trying to combat the hereditary dysfunction passed down from generation to generation among Indigenous people.

MLB

Baseball a hit as Indigenous youth connect with the sport at North American Games

Baseball is known as America's game, but there were signs Friday on a misty Halifax field that First Nations and Métis athletes from Canada are increasingly adopting it as their own.

Other Sports

Cultural sharing key part of North American Indigenous Games as sacred fire lit

Organizers of the North American Indigenous Games ignited a sacred fire on Saturday, saying the rekindling of First Nations culture is at the heart of the sports competition.

Other Sports

North American Indigenous Games officially open in Halifax as prime minister attends

The North American Indigenous Games officially kicked off Sunday evening with the prime minister in attendance, as thousands of Indigenous athletes from across the continent filled the main hockey arena in Halifax.

NHL

Top-ranked goalie Bjarnason ready to prove himself again after NHL draft

Carson Bjarnason was passed over in the 2020 Western Hockey League draft. "I had to learn to take it the right way," the goalie from Carberry, Man. said.

- Mark Masters

Top-ranked goalie Bjarnason ready to prove himself again after NHL draft

Special hockey sticks to create awareness for Every Child Matters

Each of the Stanley Cup finalists has First Nations representation and the trophy will be visiting a reserve this summer. Clay DeBray is thrilled about that prospect, but is also looking forward to something else that he believes will honour and embrace Indigenous Peoples’ connection to hockey and vice versa.

- Bob McKenzie

Special hockey sticks to create awareness for Every Child Matters

The Shift

In Their Words: Clara Hughes remembers a life-changing Ceremony with the Squamish Nation

The Shift's Alex Cairns shares a story from Clara Hughes at the 2010 Winter Olympics, when an experience with the Squamish Nation changed the course of her life.

- Alex Cairns

In Their Words: Clara Hughes remembers a life-changing Ceremony with the Squamish Nation

Ottawa Senators

Snoop Dogg says Senators bid will include equity for First Nations

Snoop Dogg has welcomed Canada's First Nations into his bid to buy the NHL's Ottawa Senators with open arms.

Vegas Golden Knights

Emotional Whitecloud wants everyone to learn from insensitive dig at last name

ESPN's John Anderson made an insensitive comment regarding Zach Whitecloud following Game 3, saying: “What kind of name is Whitecloud? Great name if you’re a toilet paper." The Golden Knights defenceman, who is of Indigenous descent, addressed those comments on Tuesday and said it's a learning experience for everyone.

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Emotional Whitecloud wants everyone to learn from insensitive dig at last name

Vegas Golden Knights

ESPN's Anderson apologizes for mocking Whitecloud's name

ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor John Anderson apologized to Zach Whitecloud, a First Nation member in Canada, on Tuesday after comparing the Vegas Golden Knights defenceman's last name to toilet paper the previous night.

Other Sports

Junior All Native Tournament in Nanaimo, B.C., is about more than basketball

More than 1,200 youth basketball players sang and danced their way into Frank Crane Arena on Sunday night for the opening ceremony of the Junior All Native Tournament.

NLL

Thompson brothers making their mark on pro lacrosse fields

When the Thompson brothers take the lacrosse field, you can always expect something special to happen.

Jackson Wang

Lacrosse

NLL standouts dominate Haudenosaunee Nationals worlds roster

Nineteen NLL players are among the 23 selected to the Haudenosaunee Nationals roster for the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in San Diego this June, as announced today by the Haudenosaunee Nationals Lacrosse Organization.

Curling

Einarson on being an Indigenous role model, how curling can become more inclusive

Three-time reigning national champion Kerri Einarson joins Bob Weeks to discuss the pride she takes in being a role model for Indigenous athletes and what the sport can do to be more inclusive to everyone.

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Curling

Indigenous students take on curling with the help of Rocks and Rings program

The Rocks and Rings program has introduced the sport of curling to over two million kids and recently a group of students from an Indigenous school in Toronto were given an opportunity to hit the ice. TSN's Claire Hanna reports.

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Indigenous students take on curling with the help of Rocks and Rings program

The Shift

NLL’s Lyle Thompson joins The Shift

Four-time NLL Sportsmanship Award winner Lyle Thompson of the Georgia Swarm joins The Shift’s Alex Cairns to discuss how meaningful it is to share lacrosse with his family, who he credits his successes too, and the passion he has for giving back to the community.

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Other Sports

2023 Women's U18 Tackle National Championship to feature first Indigenous team

The second edition of the Women’s U18 Tackle National Championship will feature seven provincial teams and the National Indigenous Team in Ottawa, ON, from July 23 to 29.

Curling

Scotties veteran Galusha says it’s going to be hard to quit after recent string of success

Kerry Galusha picked up a close 6-4 win over New Brunswick’s Team Andre Kelly Saturday afternoon at Sandman Centre in what was the 45-year-old’s 150th career game at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

- Ryan Horne

Scotties veteran Galusha says it’s going to be hard to quit after recent string of success

NBA

"On Native land" anthem lyrics nothing new for some First Nations people

Jully Black's version of the song at the National Basketball Association all-star game Sunday raised plenty of dissonance on social media.

Seattle Kraken

Kraken partner with Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for jersey ad

The NHL’s Seattle Kraken have partnered with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to put the tribe's logo on their jerseys and help increase Indigenous youth participation in the area.

Other Sports

Billy Two Rivers, retired Mohawk wrestler and politician, dies at 87

Billy Two Rivers, a celebrated Mohawk professional wrestler who became a prominent politician and Indigenous rights advocate, has died at 87.

NFL

Cree dancer from Canada part of group of Indigenous dancers performing at Super Bowl

Patrick Mitsuing is used to performing in front of large crowds. The Cree dancer from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation in western Saskatchewan has been travelling along the powwow trail in North America for years gaining awards and followers along the way.

Lacrosse

Thunderbirds veteran Jamieson continues giving back

The Halifax Thunderbirds may have slipped back to .500 with a tough overtime loss this past weekend, but veteran forward Cody Jamieson knows how to shake off the loss and keep things in perspective.

PHF

PHF Grows Its Indigenous Ties

While lacrosse is known as “The Creators Game” and has the deepest ties to the Indigenous community across North America, hockey is certainly a close second in terms of affinity to Native communities, and we are continuing to see those bonds strengthen and grow, especially as women’s hockey becomes much more of a force with the expansion of efforts like the PHF, the only professional women’s hockey league in North America.

Lacrosse

Rush continue to honour Indigenous tradition with new ceremony this season

Lacrosse and Indigenous peoples. A blanket ceremony and land acknowledgement. Respect and reconciliation. These star-crossed connections can be found at every Saskatchewan Rush home game this season.

Greig Bethel

Rush continue to honour Indigenous tradition with new ceremony this season

Lacrosse

Desert Dogs building bridges to Native American community

While NLL commemorates the second annual “Every Child Matters,” the league and its member franchises have made the history lessons and community outreach aspects of this all-important initiative a year-round undertaking.

- by Jon Rapoport

Desert Dogs building bridges to Native American community

NHL

Indigenous hockey cards shed light on First Nations players

Ted Nolan finally has his rookie card more than 40 years after making his NHL debut. Better late than never, particularly because it includes a nod to his First Nations heritage.

Other Sports

Medals for North American Indigenous Games showcase Mi'kmaq culture

Medals to be awarded at this summer's North American Indigenous Games in Nova Scotia will showcase Mi’kmaq art, including a traditional eight-pointed star.

NHL

Former NHLer Hodgson honoured by release of Indigenous hockey card set

It’s been a long time coming, but the recognition is more than welcomed by Danny Hodgson. The 57-year-old is one of eight former Indigenous NHL players who are a part of the Upper Deck First Peoples Rookie Cards set, released Jan. 13.

Vancouver Canucks

Canucks' fan favourite, Odjick, dies at 52

One of the most popular players to ever suit up for the Vancouver Canucks has died. Wayne "Gino" Odjick, who played 12 seasons in the NHL for the Canucks, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens, died today at the age of 52.

Lacrosse

‘Every Child Matters’ to NLL and its teams

In its continuing efforts at recognizing and promoting the rich history of the Indigenous culture in the sport of lacrosse, the NLL today announced its league-wide, expanded support and awareness schedule for “Every Child Matters.”

Truth and Reconciliation

What National Day for Truth and Reconciliation means to us

On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation we honour lost children and survivors of residential schools. These Indigenous athletes share what the day means to them.

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What National Day for Truth and Reconciliation means to us

The impact of residential schools

Indigenous athletes have felt the effects from a first to third generation experience. Hear their truth on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

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The impact of sport

On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous athletes share both good and bad experiences in sport.

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A Moment of Reflection

In support of our Indigenous communities across the country, TSN would like to take this time to reflect and recognize and honour the victims of residential schools and the trauma and grief that has been felt across this country, especially within Canada’s Indigenous population.

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NHL

Hall of Famer Trottier reminisces on his illustrious life in new memoir

Timely words of advice from his father decades ago still resonate with National Hockey League icon Bryan Trottier to this day and helped inspire the title of his new book. Born and raised on a ranch in Val Marie, Sask., the 66-year-old is half Indigenous and half Irish and would go on to have one of the most illustrious careers in NHL history.

Brianne Spiker

Hall of Famer Trottier reminisces on his illustrious life in new memoir

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

A member of the Wichita tribe, Evans aims to inspire and empower Indigenous youth

For its 'Play it Forward' initiative, the Ticats invited children from local Indigenous communities to Tim Hortons Field to participate in on field activities with Dane Evans and his teammates. Evans insisted on developing this initiative with the team, because growing up in Oklahoma, he was once just like these kids.

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A member of the Wichita tribe, Evans aims to inspire and empower Indigenous youth

Hockey Canada

Abby Roque hopes to see hockey become more inclusive for Indigenous communities

Earlier this year, American forward Abby Roque became the first Indigenous player to suit up for Team USA at the Olympics. The 24-year-old grew up in Michigan but is part of the Wahnapitae First Nation in Northern Ontario. She spoke about the ongoing struggles facing the Indigenous community, including the Pope's recent visit to Canada to apologize for the horrors committed at residential schools.

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Abby Roque hopes to see hockey become more inclusive for Indigenous communities

Hockey Canada

Roque on Team USA: ‘We're ready to get back on top’

The 2021-22 season was not a banner year for the United States women’s national hockey team. At the 2021 women’s worlds in Calgary, Team USA’s run of five straight gold medals came to an end after Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin sniped home the overtime winner.

Brianne Spiker

Roque on Team USA: ‘We're ready to get back on top’

Other Sports

'Wrestling saved my life': Nunavut athlete wants to spread hope to northern youth

Eekeeluak Avalak says his historic win at the 2022 Canada Summer Games isn't just his, it belongs to all of Nunavut.

Olympics

Thorpe reinstated as sole winner for 1912 Olympic golds

Jim Thorpe has been reinstated as the sole winner of the 1912 Olympic pentathlon and decathlon in Stockholm — nearly 110 years after being stripped of those gold medals for violations of strict amateurism rules of the time.

Olympics

2030 Olympic Games in B.C. offers chance for reconciliation: bid leaders

The opportunity for the 2030 Olympics to be hosted in British Columbia offers a chance for reconciliation, Indigenous leaders said as the organizing group behind the bid released its estimate of staging the event.

BC Lions

Lions reach out to Indigenous communities to launch Youth Football Program

This past spring, the BC Lions launched an Indigenous Youth Flag Football program. Players visited four reserves in Vancouver, Surrey and Abbotsford to teach Indigenous youth not just the game, but life skills as well. The partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council saw Lions Nathan Rourke and Bo Lokombo take part as two of the coaches.

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Lions reach out to Indigenous communities to launch Youth Football Program

Olympics

Indigenous-led bid for 2030 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Whistler moving ahead

An Indigenous-led partnership is moving ahead with plans to host the 2030 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler. The proposal would also see skiing and snowboarding events held at Sun Peaks near Kamloops, B.C.

Montreal Canadiens

Habs G Price wins Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has won the 2021-22 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

The Shift

Olympian and NHL Scout Brigette Lacquette joins The Shift

She is the first First Nation woman to play for the Canadian women's Olympic hockey team in 2018 and currently works as an NHL scout for Chicago. Brigette Lacquette joins Kayla Grey to talk about her hockey journey. As the first in many regards, Brigette emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion on the ice rink - supported by youth hockey programs like the Kruger Big Assist.

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Olympian and NHL Scout Brigette Lacquette joins The Shift

Hockey Canada

Lacquette hopes to help others break barriers in hockey

Brigitte Lacquette has been a trailblazer in her sport on and off the ice. Now she wants to help others forge an easier path in their own hockey journeys.

- Meaghen Johnson

The Shift

First Indigenous woman to scout in NHL calls for more diversity, inclusion in hockey

Brigette Lacquette recalls trying out for her first summer hockey team with her sister and the unwelcoming vibe that greeted them in the dressing room. The First Nations siblings from Mallard, Man., had already navigated the barrier of extensive, expensive travel just to be there.

Carolina Hurricanes

Breaking Ice: How Indigenous NHL defenceman Bear turned racism into a chance to teach

On the ice, Ethan Bear is a dynamic defenceman on a top NHL team. However, the road to the Carolina Hurricanes and world-class status has been speckled with challenging moments for the young Indigenous player. Ethan is proudly from Ochapowace Nation in Saskatchewan. In this episode of Breaking Ice, Ethan shares the joys and obstacles of growing up in Ochapowace.

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Breaking Ice: How Indigenous NHL defenceman Bear turned racism into a chance to teach

Curling

Galusha, Einarson exploring Indigenous roots as they play in Scotties

For years Kerry Galusha didn't want to talk about her Indigenous roots. Now, though, the skip of the Northwest Territories rink at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, Ont., has found her voice.

Olympics

Liam Gill to replace Derek Livingston on Canadian snowboard team

Canada's Derek Livingston will not compete in men's snowboard halfpipe at the Beijing Olympics after sustaining a lower-body injury during a recent training run. He will be replaced by Calgary's Liam Gill in the event. Gill, a member of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, is the only Indigenous athlete on the Canadian snowboard team.

Olympics

Indigenous-led bid to bring 2030 Games to B.C. takes next step

An Indigenous-led partnership has taken the next step in exploring a potential bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

That's Hockey

Abby Roque: The Game Changer

Abby Roque talks about her journey towards becoming the first BIPOC player to take Olympic ice for the U.S. women's national team.

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Skiing

Canadian skier Gray honours First Nations with helmet designed by Shuswap artist

Alpine skier Cassidy Gray and Shuswap artist Trinda Cote have collaborated to elevate the struggles of Canada's First Nations peoples to the world stage.

Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks scout Brigette Lacquette breaks hockey barrier for Indigenous women

An NHL scouting job came to Brigette Lacquette at a time when she needed it. She's the first Indigenous woman to scout for an NHL team. Her employer is the Chicago Blackhawks.

Olympics

Vancouver, Whistler and First Nations expected to explore 2030 Olympics bid

Vancouver and Whistler city officials will be joined by First Nations representatives at a news conference today to announce the formation of an 'historic sporting partnership' that's expected to explore a bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Curling

Curling Canada reveals Indigenous inspired uniforms for Olympics

Curling Canada has revealed the jerseys Canadian curlers will be wearing when they compete at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Hockey Canada

Maritime League launches new jerseys to honour Indigenous communities

Starting Wednesday, players in the Maritime Junior Hockey League will be donning specially designed jerseys to celebrate Indigenous groups in the country as a part of the organization’s Week of Reconciliation.

NHL

Women, young people more supportive of land acknowledgments by NHL teams: survey

Women, English speakers and young people are more likely to support land acknowledgments by hockey teams, according to a new survey commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies.

Montreal Canadiens

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake 'repulsed' by politicization of Habs' land acknowledgment

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake is blasting the Quebec government for questioning a land acknowledgment by the Montreal Canadiens that refers to the unceded territory of the Mohawk Nation.

Montreal Canadiens

Quebec Indigenous affairs minister: land acknowledgment by Habs may be a mistake

Quebec Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière says a Montreal Canadiens' land acknowledgment that refers to unceded territory of the Mohawk Nation may be a mistake.

Other Sports

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Sept. 30 marks Canada's first national day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and survivors of the residential school system as well as their communities and families.

The Shift

The Shift: Cheryl Bernard on educating Canadians about Indigenous Sports Heroes

Former Canadian Olympic curler and current Canada's Sports Hall of Fame CEO Cheryl Bernard joins The Shift's Kayla Grey to discuss the Hall of Fame's latest project, a digital book that tells the stories of Canada's most influential Indigenous athletes such as Wilton Littlechild and Tom Longboat.

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The Shift

The Shift: 1-on-1 with Notorious Cree

The Shift’s Keesha Chung goes 1-on-1 with TikTok sensation Notorious Cree to discuss how he amassed 3.1 million followers with his impactful hoop dancing videos and educational content highlighting his Indigenous roots.

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NFL

NFL player Ankou using platform to honour Indigenous roots

NFL player Eli Ankou, an Ottawa native and Ojibwe of the Dokis First Nation through his mother, has chosen to use his platform to honour and give back to the community and heritage that means so much to him. This 2021 video was produced by NFL Network.

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NFL player Ankou using platform to honour Indigenous roots

CFL

Football Canada, artist Grant produce identity for football in Indigenous communities

Football Canada and Indigenous artist Kolten Khasalus Grant have collaborated to produce a national identity for football in Indigenous communities across the country.

Hockey Canada

Team Canada player profile: Jocelyne Larocque

Jocelyne Larocque has been patrolling Canada’s blue line for more than a decade. The two-time Olympic medallist is preparing for her eighth world championship and was part of the Canadian team that last won gold at the women’s worlds in 2012.

- Meaghen Johnson

Olympics

Canada's Riech earns 1,500 gold in dominant fashion in his Paralympic debut

Canada's Nate Riech captured gold in the 1,500 metres in his Paralympic debut in Tokyo. The 26-year-old from Victoria pulled away from the field with two-and-half laps to go to finish in a Paralympic record of three minutes 58.92 seconds.

NHL

BarDown presents the Miꞌkmaq tribe and the origin of hockey

A lot Canadians are just finding out that Canadian history is not what we thought it was. In honour of National Indigenous History Month, BarDown's Julia Tocheri dives deeper into the origins of hockey where some evidence suggests the Miꞌkmaq people were responsible for laying the foundations in the sports creation.

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BarDown presents the Miꞌkmaq tribe and the origin of hockey

NHL

Hockey sensation Washiiyeh Jeannotte and his remarkable journey to pursue his passion

In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, TSN's BarDown contributor Jesse Pollock chats with Washiiyeh Jeannotte, a social media sensation who's family has made remarkable sacrifices so that he can play hockey.

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Hockey sensation Washiiyeh Jeannotte and his remarkable journey to pursue his passion

NHL

Time for hockey world to recognize brutal history of anti-Indigeneity

Last week it was announced that the remains of 215 Indigenous children were found on the site of a former residential school in B.C., but by Monday morning neither the NHL nor any of its teams had issued a statement or posted an acknowledgement of the tragedy on social media. That matters when it is abundantly clear that racism remains a prevalent problem in hockey, Shireen Ahmed writes.

- Shireen Ahmed

Montreal Canadiens

Price says 'better job' needed in teaching Canadians about residential schools

The Montreal Canadiens' Carey Price says more needs to be done to make more people aware of the history of residential schools.

NHL

Nolan: Actions, not words, needed to combat racism in hockey

Ted Nolan has dealt with racism throughout his decades-long association with hockey. Despite some recent initiatives by the NHL to tout growing diversity within hockey, Nolan says not much has actually changed.

The Shift

Racism directed at Bear sparks jump in donations to Beckie Scott's Spirit North

The racism directed at Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ethan Bear has prompted a jump in donations to an Indigenous sport organization founded by Olympic cross-country ski champion Beckie Scott.

Edmonton Oilers

Holland disgusted by racist comments directed at Oilers defenceman Bear

Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland says any racist comments directed to Indigenous defenceman Ethan Bear are "totally unacceptable" and "disgusting."

CFL

CFL to remember children, families impacted by Canadian residential schools tragedy

The CFL will acknowledge the children and families victimized by Canada's residential schools system during the opening week of the '21 season.

The Shift

LeBron James to produce Indigenous basketball drama ‘Rez Ball’ with Netflix

In his latest film venture, LeBron James and his SpringHill Company will be producing a feature film titled Rez Ball focusing on a team of Indigenous high school basketball players.

Mike Jagassar

LeBron James to produce Indigenous basketball drama ‘Rez Ball’ with Netflix

NHL

The life and legacy of Fred Sasakamoose

After overcoming Canada's abusive residential school system to become the first Indigenous player with treaty status in the NHL, Michael Farber takes a closer look at the challenging life and everlasting legacy of Fred Sasakamoose.

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