National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

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National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) is an ice hockey championship established in Canada by the Aboriginal Sport Circle.

Contents

The annual tournament provides an opportunity for U15 (Bantam) and U18-aged Indigenous youth across Canada to compete for the NAHC title. Teams are selected and representative of each province and territory, with attracts participation from First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. [1] [2]

The NAHC also serves as a focal point for grassroots and regional Indigenous hockey development. Both girls' and boys' teams are eligible to compete in this competition. [3] The location of the tournament varies every year and hosting rights are determined by a bidding policy put in place by the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC). [4]

History

Founded in 2002, the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships was established by the Aboriginal Sport Circle and sanctioned by Hockey Canada. [1]

In 2002 and again in 2003, the championship was held in Akwesasne/Cornwall, Ontario. The following year in 2004, the tournament was held in Prince George, British Columbia. Next, the games were held in Miramichi, New Brunswick in 2005. The following year 2006, they took place in Kahnawake, Quebec. Thereafter in 2007, the championship was played in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The following year 2008 the tournament was played in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. The following year in 2009 the tournament was played in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 2010 the Tournament was played in Ottawa, Ontario. The next two years – 2011 and 2012 were played in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The following two years – 2013 and 2014 the tournament was played in Kahnawake, Canada again. In 2015 the championship was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Following in 2016 the championship was held in Mississauga, Ontario, then in Cowichan, British Columbia in 2017, Membertou, Nova Scotia in 2018, and 2019 in Whitehorse, Yukon. [5] The 2020 and 2021 championships were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the championships returned to Membertou, Nova Scotia and then Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2023. At the conclusion of the 2023 NAHC in Winnipeg, the Aboriginal Sports Circle (ASC) announced the championships would be held in Alberta for the first time in history, with Grande Prairie named the host city.

Female Division Results

Since 2002 within the Female Division, the data collected from past championship results shows that Ontario has won the most gold medals and the most medals overall in the Female Division. The total number of medals attained by each Province/Territory is recorded in Table 3.1.

Table 1. Female Division: Medal Results (Aboriginal Sport Circle, n.d.)

YearGold (first-place finish)Silver (second-place finish)Bronze (third-place finish)Host City
2002 Ontario South Eastern Door and the North Saskatchewan Akwesasne/Cornwall, Ontario
2003Ontario SouthEastern Door and the North Ontario North Akwesasne/Cornwall
2004Ontario SouthEastern Door and the NorthOntario North Prince George, BC
2005Eastern Door and the NorthOntario SouthSaskatchewan Miramichi, NB
2006Ontario SouthOntario NorthManitoba Kahnawake, PQ
2007Ontario SouthOntario NorthSaskatchewan Prince Albert, SK
2008Ontario SouthOntario NorthBritish Columbia Sault Ste Marie ON
2009ManitobaOntario SouthSaskatchewan Winnipeg, MB
2010ManitobaOntario NorthOntario South Ottawa, ON
2011SaskatchewanEastern Door and the NorthAlberta Saskatoon, SK
2012Eastern Door and the NorthSaskatchewanOntarioSaskatoon, SK
2013Eastern Door and the NorthSaskatchewanManitobaKahnawake, PQ
2014SaskatchewanOntarioEastern Door and the NorthKahnawake, PQ
2015SaskatchewanOntario Manitoba Halifax, Nova Scotia, NS
2016SaskatchewanOntarioManitoba Mississauga, ON
2017ManitobaSaskatchewanBritish ColumbiaCowichan, BC
2018ManitobaOntario SouthSaskatchewan Membertou, NS
2019SaskatchewanManitobaOntario Whitehorse, YT [6]
2020Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
2021Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
2022ManitobaOntarioBritish Columbia Membertou, NS
2023OntarioManitobaAlberta Winnipeg, MB
2024OntarioAlbertaBritish Columbia & ManitobaGrande Prairie, AB
2025TBDTBDTBDKamloops, BC

Male Division Results

Since 2002 within the Male Division, the data collected from past championship results shows that Saskatchewan has won the most gold medals, while Manitoba has won the most medals overall in the Male Division. The total number of medals attained by each Province/Territory is recorded in Table 3.2.

Table 2. Male Division: Medal Results (Aboriginal Sport Circle, n.d.)

YearGold (first-place finish)Silver (second-place finish)Bronze (third-place finish)Host City
2002ManitobaEastern Door and the NorthOntario NorthAkwesasne/Cornwall (first)
2003SaskatchewanManitobaEastern Door and the NorthAkwesasne/Cornwall
2004Ontario NorthOntario SouthEastern Door and the NorthPrince George, BC
2005Ontario NorthAtlanticManitobaMiramichi, NB
2006SaskatchewanOntario SouthManitobaKahnawake, PQ
2007Eastern Door and the NorthManitobaSaskatchewanPrince Albert, SK
2008SaskatchewanEastern Door and the NorthAlbertaSault Ste Marie, ON
2009SaskatchewanEastern Door and the NorthManitobaWinnipeg, MB
2010SaskatchewanManitobaEastern Door and the NorthOttawa, ON
2011SaskatchewanEastern Door and the NorthOntarioSaskatoon, SK
2012Eastern Door and the NorthAlbertaManitobaSaskatoon, SK
2013British ColumbiaAlbertaOntarioKahnawake, PQ
2014SaskatchewanBritish ColumbiaAlbertaKahnawake, PQ
2015SaskatchewanAlbertaBritish ColumbiaHalifax, NS
2016British ColumbiaTeam NorthManitobaMississauga, ON
2017ManitobaOntarioBritish ColumbiaCowichan, BC
2018British ColumbiaSaskatchewanManitobaMembertou, NS
2019ManitobaSaskatchewanBritish ColumbiaWhitehorse, YT [6]
2020Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
2021Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
2022OntarioSaskatchewanBritish ColumbiaMembertou, NS
2023ManitobaOntarioBritish ColumbiaWinnipeg, MB
2024OntarioSaskatchewanBritish Columbia & ManitobaGrande Prairie, AB
2025TBDTBDTBDKamloops, BC

Table 3.1. Total Medal Count: Female Division

Province/TerritoryGoldSilverBronzeTotal
Atlantic 0000
Alberta 0123
British Columbia 0044
Eastern Door and the North 3418
Manitoba 52512
Saskatchewan 53513
Ontario 811524

Table 3.2. Total Medal Count: Male Division

Province/TerritoryGoldSilverBronzeTotal
Atlantic0101
North0101
Alberta0325
British Columbia31610
Eastern Door and the North2439
Ontario44311
Saskatchewan84113
Manitoba43714

Key activities and awards

Indigenous youth athletes between the ages of 13 years and 18 years try out for their provincial/territorial teams annually. Those individuals who make the team then participate in the annual NAHC as a member of their provincial/territorial team. Each team in the competition is competing against other provinces and territories from across Canada.

First, second, and third place finalists are all recognized in this tournament. Both the boys’ and girls’ division first place teams receive gold medals; the teams who place second in each division receive silver medals, while the teams who place third receive bronze medals. [4] The gold medalist in each division is also presented with the Turtle Island Cup, a wooden carved trophy handcrafted by artist Carey Newman.

Individually, the tournament recognizes players in both the female and male division through awards. Most Valuable Goaltender, Most Valuable Forward, Most Valuable Defence, and Most Sportsmanlike Player awards are all handed out at the conclusion of the tournament. In addition, the Most Sportsmanlike Team is also recognized in each division as determined by the Aboriginal Sports Circle committee.

Organizers

Hosting rights of this event is a result of a successful bidding process performed by provincial/territorial hockey associations. To be eligible, the bid must be approved by its Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body (P/TASB). Only one community can bid per Province/Territory. [1] Once selected, the hosting site works with the Aboriginal Sport Circle to coordinate the annual championship. [7] Together they often recruit local volunteers to assist with preparation and execution of the event. Moreover, sponsors aid by providing funding and in-kind contributions for each annual event. [5]

As a sanctioned Hockey Canada event, the NAHC are staged annually during the first two weeks in May. This ensures that the NAHC do not conflict with any of the Provincial/Territorial Bantam and Midget Hockey Championships.

Cultural practices

The NAHC is a week-long event with opening ceremonies conducted on the first day and closing awards ceremonies conducted following the final Gold Medal Game. [1] The championship begins with an opening ceremony that includes Indigenous cultural practices. Indigenous attire, music and dance are included in this ceremonial moment that ignites the beginning of the Championship. Additionally, the ceremony often includes an introduction of members of the host committee, special speakers, and VIP guests. All teams participating in the Championship are present during the opening ceremony. [8]

Notable alumni

Players

Male Division
NameTeamDescentDescription
Jordin Tootoo NorthInukFormer NHL Player
Micheal Ferland ManitobaCreeFormer NHL Player
Brady Keeper ManitobaCreeFormer NHL Player
Zach Whitecloud ManitobaDakotaNHL Player
Brandon Montour OntarioMohawkNHL Player
Ethan Bear SaskatchewanCreeNHL Player
Conner RouletteManitobaCree/Ojibway NHL Draft Pick
Female Division
NameTeamDescentDescription
Brigette Lacquette ManitobaCote First Nation Canadian National Team, Olympian
Jocelyne Larocque ManitobaMetis Canadian National Team, Olympian
Jamie Lee Rattray OntarioMetis Canadian National Team, Olympian

Coaches

NameTeamDescentDescription
Ted Nolan OntarioOjibweFormer NHL Head Coach
Micheal Ferland ManitobaCreeFormer NHL Player
Dwayne Roloson British ColumbiaNon-IndigenousFormer NHL Goaltender, Goalie Coach
Robert (Bobby) VermetteBritish ColumbiaMetisFormer NHL Amateur Scout

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships: Call for Bids" (PDF). Aboriginal Sport Circle. March 7, 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  2. "ISPARC announces Team BC Player Selection Camp for 2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships". Indigenous Sport Physical Activity and Recreation Council. December 18, 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  3. CBC (May 19, 2018). "National Aboriginal Hockey Championships coming to the North in 2019". CBC News. Online: CBC. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  4. 1 2 "History of the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships" (PDF). Aboriginal Sport Circle. n.d. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  5. 1 2 "About the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships". National Aboriginal Hockey Championships Yukon. 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Schedule — 2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships". www.nahc2019.com. Archived from the original on 2019-03-26.
  7. Jeff Davis (January 16, 2012). "Aboriginal sports organization loses federal funding after management probe" (Document). CanWest Digital Media. ProQuest   916676790.
  8. Mijenmultimedia (May 3, 2017). "2017 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships Opening Ceremonies". Youtube.