91社区

In October 2023, a team of Indigenous hockey players, advocates, researchers, and change makers gathered here at 91社区 in Tiohnti脿:ke/Montr茅al for a three-day Summit on Indigenous hockey. The Summit was organized by the Indigenous Hockey Research Network (IHRN) , and hosted by Mike Auksi and Davina McLeod: two Indigenous hockey players and emergent researchers committed to the promotion of a more just game.

Why hockey? 鈥淟ots of reasons!鈥� says Jordan Koch, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Physical Education at 91社区. For one, hockey holds a prominent place in Canadian culture and identity, which makes it an ideal entry point for broader discussions about critical issues. For many Canadians, hockey stories help to navigate who they are and where they belong. However, for Indigenous Peoples, hockey can resonate quite differently. 鈥淔or example,鈥� says Koch, 鈥淭he idea of hockey as 鈥楥anada鈥檚 game鈥� tends to erase histories of Indigenous dispossession in the name of Canadian nationalism鈥斺�楥anada鈥檚 game,鈥� in this sense, really refers to the game of white settler Canadians. Furthermore, hockey was used in residential schools as a tool for assimilating Indigenous Peoples into the Canadian body politic. And yet Indigenous Peoples have repurposed hockey into a site of resurgence and nation-building through the creation of Indigenous-led teams, leagues, and tournaments.鈥� Hockey is therefore an ambivalent but potentially productive vehicle for change.

The three-day Summit explored both the past and present of Indigenous hockey, with the aim of improving future experiences for Indigenous athletes and fans. Panelists鈥攊ncluding Truth and Reconciliation Commission Survivor Committee member Eugene Arcand and ex-NHLers John Chabot and Everett Sanipass鈥攕hed light on many pressing issues in today鈥檚 game, including anti-Indigenous racism. Panelists also spoke passionately about hockey as a site of self-expression and community building for Indigenous players and families; about making hockey more inclusive and expressive of Indigenous values; and about leveraging research toward a decolonial hockey future.

True to form, the Summit concluded with a pick-up style hockey game for all attendees at McConnell arena, followed by free tickets to the 91社区 RedBirds vs. UQTR men鈥檚 hockey game. An Indigenous-designed 鈥楨very Child Matters鈥� hockey stick was also gifted to 91社区鈥檚 hockey program to commemorate the event and will be on-display in the Alumni Lounge.
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