Indigenous People in Sport

World Juniors

'Special with the puck': Phenom McKenna ready for liftoff at WJC

Willie Desjardins has always cut an intense figure behind the bench.

NHL

Craig’s List: McKenna the runaway favourite for No. 1 in 2026 NHL Draft

After lighting up the WHL last season as a rookie with 34 goals and 97 points in 61 games to claim CHL and WHL rookie of the year honours, Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna is off to a torrid start this season, leading the league with 37 points in 19 games.

Brianne Spiker

Hockey Canada

The Next Generation: Gavin McKenna

The next generation of hockey players are making their mark and TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button shares his observations of Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna.

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The Shift

"Rez Ball" joins The Shift

Director Sydney Freeland and leading actors Kauchani Brat and Jessica Matten sat down with The Shift's Alex Cairns after the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival to discuss indigenous representation in the film, what sports has meant in their own lives and how culture and sport together can empower communities.

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781: A Story of Sports and Survival in Canadian Residential School

A five-part series on the traumatic effects of the residential school system, aiming for a deeper understanding of Truth, Reconciliation and Calls to Action.

Part One: Life at Residential School

A five-part series on the traumatic effects of the residential school system, aiming for a deeper understanding of Truth, Reconciliation and Calls to Action.

Part 2: Life Beyond Residential School

Eugene Arcand focuses on his dysfunctional life as a young adult and athlete and getting to a better place.

Part 3: Life with Hockey

Eugene Arcand shares his stories of his hockey heroes.

Part 4: Life with Truth, Reconciliation and Calls to Action

Eugene Arcand gets into the hard realities of Truth, Reconciliation and Calls to Action and trying to combat the hereditary dysfunction passed down from generation to generation among Indigenous people.

CFL

Indigenous-themed logos highlight CFL's support for Truth and Reconciliation

A portion of proceeds from all associated merchandise sold will be donated to support local Indigenous groups, organizations or programming.

NHL

2026 NHL draft prospect McKenna aims to be role model for Indigenous community

Gavin McKenna is considered the WHL's next superstar prospect and is eligible for the 2026 NHL draft. The Medicine Hat Tigers forward spoke to TSN's Gino Reda about how his roots helped build his success, what it means to represent the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation, his family connection with Connor Bedard and more.

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Stanley Cup arrives in Six Nations of the Grand River, Ont.

Fans in Six Nations of the Grand River got to meet Stanley Cup Champion Brandon Montour and see the NHL trophy in person.

Lacrosse

Rock and Warriors take part in Indigenous Peoples Day festivities

Not only do the respective clubs represent the two largest active Canadian NLL markets, but each franchise also lays claim to playing their home games within a close proximity to many First Nations lands and territories.

by Jon Rapoport

Edmonton Oilers

Oilers' outreach to Indigenous community reaches beyond pregame land recognition video

The land recognition video, a tradition that began in 2021, is only one piece of the Oilers' outreach to First Nations tribes and the Indigenous community in central and northern Alberta that has grown significantly over the past decade.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs hire Craig Berube as head coach

Craig Berube is back in Toronto, this time behind the bench as the Maple Leafs have hired him as their 32nd head coach in franchise history.

Montreal Canadiens

Price to receive an honorary doctorate from University of Northern British Columbia

Carey Price, a world-renowned goaltender, role model for Indigenous youth and philanthropist, will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Northern British Columbia during the 2024 Convocation ceremony at the Prince George campus on May 31.

University of Northern British Columbia @UNBC News Release

Lacrosse

Six Nations of the Grand River will beam with Pride during NLL Finals

Six Nations is the backdrop for one of North America’s most vibrant and talented lacrosse communities, and five of its citizens will don either a Bandits or FireWolves uniform when play commences Friday night in Albany.

by Jon Rapoport

Lacrosse

Georgia’s Lyle Thompson collects sixth straight NLL sportsmanship award

The National Lacrosse League announced Tuesday that Georgia Swarm forward Lyle Thompson was selected as by NLL team executives and coaches as the 2024 NLL Sportsmanship Award winner, Thompson’s sixth consecutive honor in this category.

Other Sports

Alaska's Indigenous teens emulate ancestors' Arctic survival skills at the Native Youth Olympics

The athletes filling a huge gym in Anchorage were ready to compete, cheering and stomping and high-fiving each other as they lined up for the chance to claim the state's top prize in their events.

Colorado Avalanche

Stanley Cup-winning winger Simon dead at 52; family cites CTE as cause

Stanley Cup-winning winger Chris Simon has died at the age of 52, the NHL Players' Association confirmed on Tuesday. A native of Wawa, Ont., Simon spent 15 seasons in the National Hockey League and was a member of the Colorado Avalanche’s 1996 championship team.

- with ESPN files

Curling

Introducing the sport of curling to First Nations communities across Alberta

Together, Egg Farmers Rocks and Rings presented by Curling Canada, and the First Nations Health Consortium want to introduce Indigenous communities across Alberta to the sport of curling. TSN's Bob Weeks spoke to members of the Siksika First Nations community about how the program has impacted them.

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Olympics

Snowboarding opens unexpected doors for Canada's Liam Gill

When Gill competed in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing in just his second year on the national team, snowboarding opened an unexpected door for him. The only Indigenous male on Canada's team drew the attention of that community.

Lacrosse

Marshall Powless keeps family musical tradition alive

Marshall Powless has one of the coolest and most important hobbies among current National Lacrosse League players.

Anna Taylor

NFL

For Native American activists, the Kansas City Chiefs have it all wrong

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for Sunday's big game, so does LeValdo. She and dozens of other Indigenous activists are in Las Vegas to protest and demand the team change its name and ditch its logo and rituals they say are offensive.

Lacrosse

Thompson continues to make history as an Indigenous star

As long as he keeps going about his business in the right way, the Lyle Thompson way, it’s difficult to see him slowing down anytime soon.

- Adam Levi

The Shift

NLL players talk Haudenosaunee Nationals and 2028 Olympic games

Lacrosse will return to the Summer Olympics in 2028 after a 100+ years hiatus, but one notable elite team may be ineligible to play. Alex Cairns of The Shift spoke to player's from the NLL about the impact the Haudenosaunee Nationals have on the sport and their feelings on the current situation between the organization and the IOC.

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Other Sports

Canada's Trinity Ellis makes push for more Indigenous representation in luge

The Pemberton, B.C., native spends her winters competing on the luge World Cup circuit and her off-season looking to fit in jobs alongside her training.

Washington Capitals

Capitals sign D Bear to two-year contract

Ethan Bear is back in the NHL following shoulder surgery after signing a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals. The contract is worth a pro-rated $4.125 million and carries a salary cap hit of $2.0625 million for the rest of this season and the 2024-25 season.

Lacrosse

Canada's sport minister supports Haudenosaunee bid to play lacrosse at 2028 Olympics

Canada's sport minister is supporting the Haudenosaunee Nationals' bid to compete as a separate nation in lacrosse at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Minnesota Wild

Fleury defies NHL by wearing special mask for Wild's Native American Heritage night

Marc-Andre Fleury wore a custom mask for the Minnesota Wild's Native American Heritage night Friday after being told by the NHL it was not allowed.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse’s ties to Indigenous roots more important than ever

For many Indigenous people in North America, lacrosse is not just a sport. It is an indelible part of the culture, and always has been.

- by Adam Levi

Lacrosse

Haudenosaunee Lacrosse team one step away from achieving Olympic dreams

The Haudenosaunee Nationals are one step away from achieving a decades-long dream. Lacrosse was restored to the Olympics program on Monday, with men's and women's versions of the game to be played at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

CEBL

Bandits, FortisBC, I∙SPARC to build and upgrade courts across British Columbia

FortisBC Energy Inc. is working with the Vancouver Bandits and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council to build outdoor basketball courts that will serve as new recreational hubs for local youth in four Indigenous communities across the province.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse at the Olympics gives Native Americans a chance to see their sport shine

Nearly 1,000 years after lacrosse was first played on fields that could sometimes stretch for miles across the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the sport will be on the Olympic schedule in Los Angeles in 2028.

Lacrosse

Haudenosaunee deserves a lacrosse team of its own at the 2028 Olympics

They call it the “medicine game," which is a bit of a misnomer because lacrosse is more than just a game to the Haudenosaunee people. Much more.

The Shift

''Two Native baseball players, one World Series'': Traci Sorell on her new book 'Contenders'

The Shift's Alex Cairns is joined by best-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell to talk about her newest book. On top of exploring the themes in her book, they discuss Traci's life long love of baseball, the complexities of capturing this unbelievable story and her thoughts on Indigenous themed mascots in sports today.

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CHL

Former NHL coach Ted Nolan details long, difficult journey in 'Life in Two Worlds'

Ted Nolan doesn't hold back, providing raw details of his life in Garden River First Nation Reserve — near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.— leaving home to play hockey as an outsider, making the NHL, his journey in coaching, and a still-stunning split with the Sabres.

The Shift

Ted Nolan on his memoir, "Life in Two Worlds"

Ted Nolan joins Alex Cairns on The Shift to open up about his newly released memoir "Life in Two Worlds". He discusses the challenges he encountered when he first went pro, reflects on lessons learned and celebrates the journey he has taken to get to where he today.

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Other Sports

Indigenous police officer hopes to inspire with trilingual 'O Canada' at Jays game

Sgt. Chantal Larocque hopes that singing "O Canada" in English, French and Algonquin at Rogers Centre before a Toronto Blue Jays game will open everyone's eyes to the possibilities of creating a more inclusive game experience.

Montreal Alouettes

Alouettes team up with Kahnawake youth as team marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Some members of the Montreal Alouettes were in Kahnawake to play with children in the community as part of the team's program to raise awareness and to support the community.

Joe Lofaro, CTVNewsMontreal.ca Digital Reporter

Edmonton Elks

Elks unveil Indigenous logo created by artist Conrad Plews

The Edmonton Elks are the latest CFL team to add an Indigenous logo, as the team unveiled a new look.

MLB

Baseball a hit as Indigenous youth connect with the sport at North American Games

Baseball is known as America's game, but there were signs Friday on a misty Halifax field that First Nations and Métis athletes from Canada are increasingly adopting it as their own.

Other Sports

Cultural sharing key part of North American Indigenous Games as sacred fire lit

Organizers of the North American Indigenous Games ignited a sacred fire on Saturday, saying the rekindling of First Nations culture is at the heart of the sports competition.

Other Sports

North American Indigenous Games officially open in Halifax as prime minister attends

The North American Indigenous Games officially kicked off Sunday evening with the prime minister in attendance, as thousands of Indigenous athletes from across the continent filled the main hockey arena in Halifax.

NHL

Top-ranked goalie Bjarnason ready to prove himself again after NHL draft

Carson Bjarnason was passed over in the 2020 Western Hockey League draft. "I had to learn to take it the right way," the goalie from Carberry, Man. said.

- Mark Masters

Special hockey sticks to create awareness for Every Child Matters

Each of the Stanley Cup finalists has First Nations representation and the trophy will be visiting a reserve this summer. Clay DeBray is thrilled about that prospect, but is also looking forward to something else that he believes will honour and embrace Indigenous Peoples’ connection to hockey and vice versa.

- Bob McKenzie

The Shift

In Their Words: Clara Hughes remembers a life-changing Ceremony with the Squamish Nation

The Shift's Alex Cairns shares a story from Clara Hughes at the 2010 Winter Olympics, when an experience with the Squamish Nation changed the course of her life.

- Alex Cairns

Ottawa Senators

Snoop Dogg says Senators bid will include equity for First Nations

Snoop Dogg has welcomed Canada's First Nations into his bid to buy the NHL's Ottawa Senators with open arms.

Truth and Reconciliation

What National Day for Truth and Reconciliation means to us

On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation we honour lost children and survivors of residential schools. These Indigenous athletes share what the day means to them.

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