Photo of Siksika Buffalo Minor hockey members skating Siksika Flag (left) and Calgary Canucks Flag (right)
With hockey teams across the various armature and professional leagues in Canada hold Indigenous Heritage nights to celebrate Indigenous people in the world of hockey.
On November 29, the AJHL held a historic game as the Calgary Canucks partnered with the Blackfoot Nation of Siksika to host their home against the Brooks Bandits at the Deerfoot Sportplex.
The night brought out the community to watch the game with many visitors and fans of the Bandits making the journey to Siksika to cheer on the AJHL’s top team who were coming in on a ten-game winning streak.
Siksika is no stranger to hosting high profile teams with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL who held their pre-seasonal opener against the Red Deer Rebels in the Nation.
The team is also known to use the Rink at the Deerfoot Sportplex for practices.
CJWE spoke with Team Leader of the Sportplex Richard Running Rabbit about how having teams come to Siksika have been having an impact on the youth.
The night not only brought an exciting night of hockey as the Bandits taking their eleventh win over the Canucks, but it also empowered many of the youth with an intermission performance from Jax Running Rabbit and the singing of the Canadian National Anthem in the Blackfoot language from a youth Blackfoot speaker.
Many who attended the game also had a chance to win ticket to the Calgary Flames Indigenous Night at the Saddledome where CJWE will be on location Saturday December 2.
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