Siksika Health Services and Calgary Hitmen sign historic Memorandum of Understanding
In a historic first, the Calgary Hitmen have united with Siksika Nation to formalize a working relationship between the two parties.
Presented as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the two sides outlined the details of the partnership in front of a large gathering at the Siksika Health and Wellness Centre Thursday.
Among its many stated objectives, the MOU is oriented towards community education, leadership and the promotion of Blackfoot culture.
Being the first of its kind, the MOU is also striving to be seen as a model for other Indigenous communities and professional sports organizations to emulate.
"We have further plans to co-develop an outside skating rink, among other projects," said Chief Ouray Crowfoot of Siksika Nation. "But sports isn't always about what happens on the court or on the ice, it's the character that you build from teamwork, a sense of pride, learning how to be a champion and a leader, it's all those things that teach you about life," added Chief Crowfoot.
"In this relationship with the Hitmen, we see it as one avenue to help build those life skills for our children."
Chief Ouray Crowfoot signs MOU with the Calgary Hitmen, Aug.12, 2021
Chief Crowfoot also touched on the MOU serving as a broader link for Siksika to forge deeper ties with the city of Calgary.
"This will also contribute with our relationship with Calgary. There wouldn't be a Calgary if it weren't for the Blackfoot; they built Fort Calgary and the Siksika have been in the area long before there was a Calgary."
"It's important for organizations like the Hitmen to recognize we are here together on Blackfoot territory, and form a relationship oriented towards working together."
The MOU will also provide for a broad range of programs and shared experiences such as mentor-ship, speaking engagements and educational programs focussed on cultural beliefs.
"There is so much to be offered between both communities, a lot of work has gone into this but there is a lot of work ahead of us to do good things together," said Mike Moore, VP of the Calgary Hitmen. "The MOU represents those opportunities, and to do them together," added Moore.
From the Hitmen's standpoint, the MOU primarily serves as a pathway to education on Indigenous culture and traditions, but sport will play a significant role in the relationship. "Using sport to create health and wellness, and using it to help guide youth to a better future, that's an important part of this partnership," said Moore.
As a centrepiece of the MOU, the outdoor rink to be constructed in Siksika is currently in the design stage, and the Hitmen are slated to play a preseason game at the Siksika Deerfoot Sportsplex on September 18.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.