A virtual panel discussion - November 30th, 2023
If “hockey is Canada’s game,” what does it say about ‘Canada’ and ‘hockey’ when Indigenous people are being excluded from playing the sport they love? What does it mean when all-Indigenous teams are being pushed out of leagues—ones they even helped to create? What does their marginalization tell us about Indigenous reconciliation and sport in Canada? Hockey’s toxic culture has generated more than its share of headlines over the past few years. While the sport struggles to address critical issues like sexual abuse, homophobia, and discrimination, it has yet to tackle another, equally damaging problem that has somehow remained hidden from view: anti-Indigenous structural racism. This panel brings awareness to that issue by exploring the experiences of the Keystone Junior Hockey League (Junior B) and the Beardy’s Blackhawks (Midget AAA). Representatives from both teams speak to the structural racism they faced, what they did to try and address it, and what changes they would like to see to mend this institutionalized violence.
PANELISTS
Councillor Edward Albert, Norway House Cree Nation
- Former President of the Keystone Junior Hockey League and former Governor of the Norway House North Stars
Sonny (Edward) Albert, Norway House Cree Nation
- Director of Parks and Recreation, past President and current Vice President of the KJHL North Stars
Robert Henry
- Tier II Canadian Research Chair in Indigenous Justice and Wellbeing, University of Saskatchewan
Councillor Vaughn Blacksmith, Cross Lake Cree Nation
- Former Governor of the Cross Lake Islanders
DISCUSSANT
Sam McKegney
Professor, Department of English (Dept. Head)
Queen’s University
HOST
Moss Norman
School of Kinesiology
University of British Columbia
MODERATOR
Janice Forsyth
Professor, Indigenous Land-Based Physical Culture and Wellness
School of Kinesiology
University of British Columbia
Along with other special guests.
