Calgary Hitmen Partnership
Siksika Health Services has partnered with the Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club and Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation to foster change, education and reconcili-action in our communities.
4th Annual Every Child Matters Hockey Game
The Every Child Matters hockey game will take place at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta at 2:00pm on February 10, 2024 between the Calgary Hitmen and the Moose Jaw Warriors. Participants of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend the event; tickets can be purchased on the Calgary Hitmen website.
This is the fourth annual Every Child Matters game presented by the Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club and Siksika Health Services in partnership with presenting sponsors: Siksika Family Services Corporation, Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, First Nations Health Consortium and the Blackfoot Confederacy.
The Every Child Matters game is part of a much larger movement of the same name, and is a recognition and commitment to action to ensure that all children know their importance, and to honour those who attended Residential Schools in Canada, their families, and communities.
2024 Every Child Matters Game Theme:
This year’s Every Child Matters hockey game theme is HOPE: Hope, Opportunity, Pathway, Empowerment, with a particular focus on youth. First Nations youth, and youth of all backgrounds are our collective future; their hope is our hope. Youth from Siksika Nation and from the Calgary Hitmen team will be featured in the lead up to, and throughout the event, showcasing their remarkable strength and skills. Together we can create and support a hopeful future for our young people.
Game Features:
- Radio broadcast in Blackfoot language on Siksika Nation’s “The Nation’s Station” (104.7FM)
- Visit the test kitchen in section 227, hosted by Siksika’s own, Chris Eagle Rib, for delicious Blackfoot food samplings: berry soup, indian tacos, frybread hot dogs, and indian popcorn
- Dancers & drummers performing throughout the game
- Concourse booths with information and resources for Indigenous families & general public
About the ECM Jersey
So how do you capture such an important theme into a uniform? In this case, the spirit and intent was realized by a partnership of local Indigenous artists: Richard Running Rabbit, Siksika Recreation & Parks Lead and his friend, Jacob Alexis.
“It’s totally different working with a First Nations graphic artist because you don’t have to explain the concept,” Running Rabbit explained.
Now there are many concepts that went into this – many – according to Siksika Health Services’ CEO, Dr. Tyler White, who initiated the process and asked Richard to start putting concepts together. White says this took some time, as Richard was so deep into research he had come back to White with “12 mockups”. These were eventually whittled down to a select few.
“Richard came to me with some archived material of Blackfoot quillwork as a reference piece,” Alexis says. From there it was a step-by-step process bringing the idea to life. “I researched old tipi art in the style of the area.”
On September 16, 2023, Siksika Health Services and the Calgary Hitmen will host the second annual Every Child Matters Traditional Powwow at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Doors at 1:00pm with Grand Entry starting at 2:00pm.
Join us as we honour and commemorate our beloved Elders and loved ones who attended residential schools, and celebrate the resilience of our people and culture that remains strong. The celebration event is free to attend; seating is first-come first-served.
Details
There will be vendors and booths featuring Indigenous artists, partners, and friends of Siksika Nation. There are dance specials in all adult categories, with a special “Moving Forward” Honour Song to recognize our IRS Heroes. There will also be a Junior and Teen Girls’ Cowgirl Special. Concessions will be open; delicious food and drinks will be available for purchase on-site.
Parking is limited due to construction in the area. Plan to arrive early, and visit https://www.scotiabanksaddledome.com/getting-here/ for parking info
The mission of the ECM Powwow
Indigenous ceremonies and celebrations like the annual Every Child Matters powwow connect people with mother earth through the drum beat of our songs and prayers
We are mindful of knowing that our former IRS students experienced this painful trauma; this legacy of the IRS is a lifelong journey of healing
Our self-worth as First Nation people is a seed of incredible strength that has been passed down by our ancestors.
Let’s honour our people, and let’s begin to heal together in communities and rebuild the circle, bringing everyone back, creating a new narrative in our communities.
The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club and Siksika Health Services signed a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in August 2021. The historic partnership commits to significant working goals: address stereotypes and racism by advancing inclusion in our communities through the promotion of the Blackfoot culture, language and history; and promote healthy lifestyles for all youth and to highlight the benefits of participation in sport.
This agreement builds on the existing working relationship between the Calgary Hitmen, Siksika Nation and Siksika Health Services. Past highlights include the “Every Child Matters” hockey game, held in 2020 and 2021 at the Scotiabank Saddledome, which promoted and celebrated the Blackfoot culture, which has now become an annual event.
Other highlights in the MOU include:
- Using mentors, Hitmen players and alumni to encourage recruitment, participation and retention of young hockey players with an added focus of helping to grow other sports, recreation opportunities, and physical literacy.
- Engage to the full extent Siksika Health Services’ expertise to promote healthy lifestyles and continue to work to understand and educate on harm reduction for addictions.
Siksika Calgary Flames ODR
The Calgary Flames Outdoor Rink is the first outdoor rink in Siksika Nation, and serves a population of more than 4,000 people with six schools in our area. The ODR provides a comfortable and supportive environment locally for people to improve their wellbeing through recreational activity.
The ODR is used year-round, including rollerblading, skateboarding, lacrosse, basketball and ground hockey in the off-season. Programs and classes help people reach their mental health and fitness goals, while promoting the sport and values of athleticism.
Pre-Season Games
Each year in September, Siksika Health Services hosts a Calgary Hitmen pre-season games at the Deerfoot Sportsplex.
Cultural exchanges and mentorship
Together, the partners are working to address stereotypes and racism by advancing inclusion in our communities through the promotion of Indigenous culture, language and history, and promote healthy lifestyles for all youth by highlighting the benefits of participation in sport.
The Calgary Hitmen visited Siksika Nation to practice alongside Siksika Minor Hockey, share learnings with our local hockey coaches and teams, and participate in a powerful face painting ceremony.
