Media.Knet.Ca

FIRST NATIONS

HOCKEY

TOURNAMENT IN SIOUX LOOKOUT

OCTOBER 5-7TH, 2007.

12 FIRST NATIONS HOCKEY TEAMS

From Durham Region News ...

Hockey gear brings hope to First Nations kids - Oshawa sends truckload of equipment north
By Jillian Follert - Aug 30, 2007

OSHAWA -- It may look like bags of skates and jerseys, but to Grand Chief Stan Beardy, the hockey equipment overflowing from Oshawa MPP Jerry Ouellette's office is a lifesaver.
On Wednesday afternoon, Grand Chief Beardy, of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, met with the local MPP and representatives from the hockey community, to thank Oshawa for donating truckloads of gear to the youth in his far-flung northern communities.

"For you, it might not mean that much to collect some hockey equipment," Grand Chief Beardy said. "But the difference you're making is life and death."

Youth suicide is a horrifying trend in the 50 First Nation communities represented by the Grand Chief.

In the past year alone, 28 young people between the ages of 12 and 25 have taken their own lives.

But there is hope, and sports programs are proving to be part of the solution.

"Sports programs, like hockey, give the kids hope and direction," explained Mr. Ouellette.

Two years ago, the Grand Chief issued a plea for help at Queens Park, and the Oshawa MPP responded by setting up a donation program for hockey equipment.

The call went out to local hockey leagues and sports stores, and generated an overwhelming response. The first truckload made its way north last fall, and another is set to leave this week courtesy of Rockbrune Brothers Movers.

Organizations that helped collect donations include the Oshawa Lady Generals Hockey Association, Oshawa Minor Hockey Association, Crow Sports, Oshawa Church Hockey League and Neighbourhood Association Sports Committee.

Grand Chief Beardy said people living in southern Ontario often don't realize how difficult it is youth in his communities to do things others take for granted, like play hockey.

Thirty-six of his 50 communities are 'fly-in', which means residents must pay for a $1,000 flight to the nearest service centre, to purchase things like sports gear.

The only things sold in the individual communities, are basic staples stocked at the general stores.

"What you're doing is very touching for me," the Grand Chief said, wiping a tear from his eye. "My people have a lot of hopelessness... but you are making a difference."

For information on donating hockey or other sports equipment to this project, contact MPP Ouellette's office at 905-723-2411.

First Nations "Major Bantam" Hockey Tournament is scheduled in Sioux Lookout on December 14-16th, 2007.

First 12 major Bantam Teams to register will be accepted.

To confirm the registration, a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 is required, due to a number of teams interested in playing.

To submit your deposit, please make cheque payable to, and mail to:

First Solutions Inc. c/o Eno C. Anderson
P.O. Box 414, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1A5.

For further inquiries: please call 1 807 737 7653 ( leave a message )

Thank you.

Eno C. Anderson, Convenor 

FIRST NATIONS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

SIOUX LOOKOUT,ONTARIO

OCTOBER 5,6,7th, 2007

12 mens hockey teams

entry fee $1,250.00

First Prize - $5,000.00 ( est. )

To register: Deposit of $500.00 required to be on tournament schedule.

First 12 Teams paid accepted

To register: Please mail entry fee to:

First Solutions,
c/o Eno C. Anderson,
P.O. Box 414,
Sioux Lookout, ON
P8T 1A5

...for any questions...phone 1 807 738 0314...Thank you...

Visit http://districthockey.myknet.org/ for other hockey tournament updates!

Thank you.

Dressed in Black n Blue, a band with members from Shoal Lake and Sandy Lake First Nations is making their songs available online for download.

MP3 copies of their songs are now ready to download on their MySpace web site. Everyone is invited to check out the music ... and thanks for the support ... peace

Click the link http://myspace.com/dressedinblacknblue

PRESS RELEASE ...

ASRA Encourages a Visit to the Chiefs and Champions Website

April 20, 2007

Saanich Territory (Victoria, BC) – The Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC (ASRA) is encouraging our stakeholders to visit Canada’s first free on-line sport community and social network for Aboriginal athletes and coaches.

The internet is providing many opportunities and it now includes a place for the stakeholders in Aboriginal sport and recreation a place to share ideas, stories and words of encouragement. The website, www.chiefsandchampions.ca accompanies a break-out television show which premiered on February 15, 2007 on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and already has the profiles of many of Canada’s most prolific athletes and coaches.

“This is a tremendous idea that will definitely assist sport and recreation administrators in connecting with their stakeholders,” said Adam Olsen, ASRA Communications Coordinator. “It is vital that information is shared freely and this is another place for this interaction to occur. Hopefully this website will succeed in attracting athletes and coaches of all levels to introduce themselves and their ideas in an effort to further promote excellence in Aboriginal sport and recreation.”

Visit the Chiefs and Champions website today and create your on-line profile. Take the opportunity to share your story and get involved in the discussion!

“It is ASRA’s hope that all the members of our network join this on-line community. We are encouraging our stakeholders to connect with each other and other sport and recreation people from across the country,” said Olsen. “Let’s get as many people from BC profiled on this site as possible, who knows who you will connect with!”

Connect with the information today! Visit www.chiefsandchampions.ca, create your profile, and link yourself with possible scholarships, bursaries, youth publications and directories. For more information please contact ASRA by e-mail at asra@asra.ca. or by phone at 250-544-8172.

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Join ASRA’s e-mail distribution network and stay tuned in to all the exciting programs and services we offer. Visit us on-line at www.asra.ca to join our network.

ASC press release ...

Aboriginal Sport Circle Announces Regional Awards Recipients

April 17, 2007

AKWESASNE, Ontario - The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce the National finalists for the 2006 Tom Longboat and National Aboriginal Coaching awards.

The ASC accepts nominations from the sport and recreation community to honour outstanding Aboriginal athletes and coaches each year. These prestigious awards honour the accomplishments of amateur athletes and coaches of Aboriginal ancestry for 2006.

“To honour and recognize the excellent achievements of Aboriginal athletes and coaches from coast-to-coast is important to our people,” said Rod Jacobs, Manager of Aboriginal Sport Development at the ASC. “Celebrating the successes of deserving sport leaders is a priority of the Aboriginal Sport Circle.”

Winners of the awards demonstrate excellence in sport through athletic and coaching achievements and are embedded in community development through leadership and mentorship. Athletes and coaches continue to develop holistically by giving back to their communities and ensuring youth have exposure to sports, recreation and physical activities.

This is the 100th anniversary of legendary marathon runner Tom Longboat’s amazing Boston Marathon victory in 1907.

The National Selection Process is underway and will conclude on April 19, 2007.

The 2006 Tom Longboat and National Aboriginal Coaching Award winners will be announced at the 2007 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan at the Aboriginal Sports Excellence Awards Banquet. This will take place on Thursday, May 3, 2007, 6:30 pm local time.

2006 Regional Male Tom Longboat Award finalists

2006 Regional Female Tom Longboat Award finalists

2006 Regional Male Aboriginal Coaching Award finalists

2006 Regional Female Aboriginal Coaching Award finalists

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is Canada’s voice for Aboriginal sport and recreation, which brings together the interests of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Aboriginal Sport Circle was created through a national consensus-building process, in response to the need for more accessible and equitable sport and recreation opportunities for Aboriginal peoples.

For Additional Information:

Marcia Trudeau
Community and Communications Coordinator
Aboriginal Sport Circle
275 MacLaren Street
Ottawa, ON
K2P 0L9
(613) 236-9624 - tel, ext. 223
(613) 938-9181 - fax

Sioux Lookout District First Nations Hockey Tournament 2007 is now accepting Hockey Teams to register asap.

We can accept up to 28 hockey teams maximum.

The tournament dates are April 2 - 7th, 2007 at the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena.

To register please refer to http://districthockey.myknet.org

Thank you.

Eno C. 

Vancouver 2010 press release ...
 
Meet Aqpik, Marek and Chelsie: Vancouver 2010 Showcases Aboriginal Athletes Through Poster Series and Invites Aboriginal Youth to "Find Your Passion in Sport"
 
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(CCNMatthews - March 5, 2007) - Aboriginal youth across Canada are being invited to find inspiration in Aboriginal athlete role models with Vancouver 2010's "Find Your Passion in Sport" poster series. The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) unveiled the series today as part of its commitment to increase awareness of, and participation in, Olympic and Paralympic winter sport by Canada's Aboriginal people.

"At Vancouver 2010, we have set a goal of unprecedented Aboriginal participation," said VANOC Chief Executive Officer John Furlong. "These three athletes have dreamed bigger, reached higher and celebrated what's possible when you try. We are very proud of their accomplishments and are excited to have them on our team, encouraging Aboriginal participation in sport across the country."

The athletes featured in the series reflect all three Aboriginal groups from across Canada, First Nations, Inuit and Metis. The three inspirational athletes were chosen from a final shortlist of a dozen candidates:

• Chelsie Mitchell (Snowboard) - a First Nations youth from British Columbia
• Aqpik Peter (Speed Skating) - an Inuit youth from Nunavut
• Mareck Beaudoin (Biathlon) - a Metis youth from Quebec

Posters Available On-Line: A version of each poster can be accessed directly via vancouver2010.com at (for the purposes of the media only):

• http://www.vancouver2010.com/resources/PDFs/Poster_Mareck.pdf
• http://www.vancouver2010.com/resources/PDFs/Poster_Aqpik.pdf
• http://www.vancouver2010.com/resources/PDFs/Poster_Chelsie.pdf

Each of the three posters in the series features a compelling image of the athlete in the natural landscape where he or she lives and trains. The posters are trilingual, and include text in English, French and the Aboriginal language of each athlete's respective ancestry. In conjunction with the unveiling of the poster series, the Aboriginal Participation section of the vancouver2010.com website is being re-launched with new content. The "Find Your Passion in Sport" poster series images can be downloaded free as wallpaper from vancouver2010.com.

More than 20,000 posters will be distributed to Aboriginal communities and organizations, Aboriginal youth organizations, Friendship Centres and Aboriginal schools across Canada. The campaign is designed to inspire Aboriginal youth to explore their dreams and become more actively engaged in winter sport at all levels.

"To be featured in this poster campaign is an honour and something I would never have imagined possible," said Team Quebec biathlete Mareck Beaudoin. "Now that I see the final result of this project, I am reminded that sport is not only important for me as an individual athlete, but that sport and sport role models are important for all Aboriginal people in Canada."

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games are not only about athletic excellence but also about community engagement and building a sport legacy to benefit everyone", said the Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Sport. "The young athletes featured on these posters are a symbol of the role that Aboriginal Peoples are playing to help reach these goals of the 2010 Winter Games and we are confident that they will make their communities and Canada proud."

VANOC is the first Organizing Committee to integrate Indigenous Peoples as official partners in the planning and hosting of a Games. Aboriginal people were asked to participate in a meaningful way to formally acknowledge the partnership with VANOC, which has set a goal of achieving, with its partners, unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the 2010 Winter Games.

Background on the Campaign

In 2005, VANOC and the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), Canada's national voice for Aboriginal sport, signed a Statement of Cooperation. This Statement declares the intention to work together to take advantage of the opportunity the 2010 Winter Games provide to inspire and encourage more Aboriginal people to participate in sport across the country. In cooperation with the Aboriginal Sport Circle, the selection of the athletes to be featured in the posters was a process that took much of summer 2006. Over 60 nomination submissions were received from across Canada.

The Aboriginal athlete poster design highlights the athletes as role models in a style comparable to famous iconic athletes who are showcased as strong, confident and intense in their disciplines. The photography style, lighting and profile of the athlete is given a similar treatment to that found in top sport magazines featuring star athletes. The background highlights the association between each athlete's training ground and the important connection to nature which continues to develop, challenge, motivate and inspire.

VANOC is proud to be working with the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations - known as the Four Host First Nations - on whose traditional lands the Games will take place - as well as other First Nations, Inuit and Me'tis groups throughout Canada in the planning and hosting of the Games.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

CONTACT INFORMATION for Vancouver 2010
Mary Fraser, Media Contact, (778) 328-3667