Hockey Canada Forms Indigenous Advisory Circle

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced the 11 representatives appointed to the organization’s first Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC), which will guide efforts to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through sport.

The IAC will help inform organizational policies, programs and practices that relate to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, including actions 87 to 91, and other initiatives that will advance Hockey Canada’s work with Indigenous peoples.

Dr. Wilton Littlechild, a Companion of the Order of Canada and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame inductee, is the circle’s inaugural chair.

A residential school survivor, Dr. Littlechild’s lifelong commitment to Indigenous rights, sport and reconciliation has been instrumental to healing and empowerment, particularly for Indigenous youth, nationally and internationally.

Dr. Littlechild is joined by 10 other representatives:

• Kalley Armstrong (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, QC)

• Trechelle Bunn (Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation, MB)

• Kateri Coade (Abegweit First Nation, PE)

• Kyanna Coe (Prince George, BC)

• Breanne Dondo (Red River Métis Nation, MB)

• Ryan Francis (Wasoqopa'q First Nation, NS)

• Ava Hill (Six Nations of the Grand River, ON)

• Laura McPhie (Pikwakanagan First Nation, ON)

• Kevin Monkman (Ebb and Flow First Nation, MB)

• Patrick Twinn (Sawridge First Nation, AB)

Biographies on the members of Hockey Canada’s IAC can be found here.

“Establishing Hockey Canada’s Indigenous Advisory Circle is an important step in our reconciliation efforts and we are looking forward to working with this group to advance our work with Indigenous Peoples,” said Denise Pattyn, senior vice-president of people, culture and inclusion for Hockey Canada. “We are appreciative of all individuals who expressed interest in joining the circle, and we will continue to identify opportunities to welcome more diverse voices for initiatives that will enhance hockey in Canada.”

In August 2023, Hockey Canada published its first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Path Forward, which included a Commitment to Action statement that summarized the ongoing work to drive long-term, sustainable change within hockey, as well as actions that relate to respecting, protecting and promoting the rights and opportunities of Indigenous Peoples through sport.

Integrating Inclusion, a refreshed version of the EDI Path Forward, is expected to be distributed later this year.

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