Indigenous appreciation on display at Tuesday's Senators game
Indigenous appreciation on display at Tuesday's Senators game
Tuesday night's Ottawa Senators game against the L.A. Kings was more than just a hockey game.
Indigenous traditions and culture were on display throughout the Canadian Tire Centre and woven throughout the game, all part of the fourth annual Indigenous Peoples Appreciation Night.
In support and in recognition of the important contributions of Indigenous peoples, fans were able to participate in a celebration of Indigenous culture. The team says it’s part of their commitment to ensuring that Indigenous peoples are heard and supported year-round.
“First Nations people love hockey, Canadians love hockey and here we are at the Ottawa Senators on the homeland of the Angonquin people and I can tell you the people were so happy and proud,” Commanda said. “These ceremonies are our spirituality, it’s how we celebrate and worship and so I really appreciate having that safe space to share and to educate Canadians about who we are as First Nations peoples.”
Aaron Robinson, the Senators' director of fan and community development, says this event a key part of giving back to a community too often overlooked.
“Having nights like this are important because of what Indigenous people have given to our community,” Robinson said. “It’s about celebrating their culture, acknowledging the trials and tribulations and the tragedy that they have gone through, but also the value they bring to our culture.”
The Sens invited community members, elders, artisans, community groups and performers from Awkesasne, Kitigan Zibi, Que., Lac Simon, Que., Maniwaki, Que., Ottawa, Pikwakanagan, Rapid Lake, Que. and Elsipogtog, N.B., with a special focus on the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation, the ancestral un-ceded land the Canadian Tire Centre was built on.
Before the game there was a hockey clinic for Indigenous youth from communities around the region in conjunction with First Assist, an Indigenous-run charity that advances educational achievement in Indigenous communities through sport.
When fans arrived for the game, there was an Indigenous artisans’ market along Canadian Tire Centre’s 200-level concourse at Gate 1. The market included antler painters, moccasin and glove makers, beaders and other traditional artists.
The Black Bear singers, an Indigenous Juno award-nominated drum group from Manawan, Que., known for performing traditional First Nations music in a northern contemporary style, performed throughout the evening and Indigenous singer and member of Black Bear, Kim Ratt performed O Canada.
The federal government is seeking to delay the extension of assisted dying eligibility to people whose sole condition is a mental disorder until March 17, 2024. Justice Minister David Lametti introduced a bill seeking the extension in the House of Commons on Thursday.
A gay man is taking the federal government to court, challenging the constitutionality of a policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned.
Will we see six more weeks of winter, or an early spring? Here’s what some of the groundhogs (and one human) have predicted so far, from coast-to-coast.
The United States has answered President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plea for rockets that can strike deep behind the front lines of the nearly year-long conflict with Russia. Now Russian forces will need to adapt or face potentially catastrophic losses.
The organization regulating medical care and services in Manitoba is apologizing for racism directed towards Indigenous people when accessing health care in the province.
Australia is removing the monarchy from its bank notes. The nation's new $5 bill will feature an Indigenous design rather than an image of King Charles III. But the king is still expected to appear on coins that currently bear the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
It's about as strange (and cute) as holidays get. So how did Groundhog Day go from a kooky local tradition to an annual celebration even those of us who don't worry about winter can find the fun in?
On the day that Shubenacadie Sam predicted six more weeks of winter, there are warnings and statements cautioning that the coldest air of the season is about to arrive in the Maritimes.
Ontario has released a new 'connected' and 'convenient' health-care plan aimed at shortening wait times and localizing access to care across the province.
Three Richmond Hill residents have been arrested after police seized $500,000 in fake gift cards from a “sophisticated forgery lab” while searching multiple local properties last month.
A polar vortex is descending over Ontario this week and some of the coldest weather is still to come. Wind chills will also reach dangerous levels, increasing the risk of frostbite.
The next few nights are expected to be frigid in Montreal, with wind chill factors dropping to -30. In order to prevent anyone experiencing homelessness from ending up outdoors, the City of Montreal is announcing the opening of two emergency shelters.
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
Highway 11 in northern Ontario is closed Thursday morning from Highway 66 near Kenogami Lake to Matheson after a collision involving several vehicles, police say.
One person has died after a two-vehicle crash in south London Wednesday night. Police were called to the scene on Bostwick Road around 7:20 p.m. and say there were five people injured in total and all five were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from serious to life-threatening.
Wiarton Willie has predicted an early spring! The groundhog in South Bruce Peninsula didn't see his shadow at 8:07 a.m. on Thursday morning, meaning spring is on the way.
The organization regulating medical care and services in Manitoba is apologizing for racism directed towards Indigenous people when accessing health care in the province.
Wiarton Willie made his prediction his spring prediction Thursday morning at 8:07 a.m. The groundhog did not see his shadow, meaning we could get an early spring.
Calgary's Scotiabank Saddledome was packed to the rafters with fans eager to take a look at Canadian phenom Connor Bedard and the 17-year-old did not fail to impress.
The Alberta government will unveil some of its planned improvements to the province's emergency medical services on Thursday, amid criticism that it's not doing enough to help with long response times and an ambulance shortage.
A former professional hockey player well-known for dropping the gloves is trying his hand at acting and will star in another season of the Canadian sitcom Shoresy.
A large crowd of around 700 students, faculty members and Lethbridge residents came out on Wednesday to protest a planned speech by Frances Widdowson at the University of Lethbridge that didn't take place.
B.C.'s Ministry of Health is continuing its multi-year trend of paying millions more dollars each year to private surgical centres for the delivery of public health care, CTV News has learned.
The federal government is seeking to delay the extension of assisted dying eligibility to people whose sole condition is a mental disorder until March 17, 2024. Justice Minister David Lametti introduced a bill seeking the extension in the House of Commons on Thursday.
Paramedic logs from 2022 are highlighting some of the pressures Regina EMS workers have been facing for months including one instance where a patient died following offload delays at the hospital, the documents indicate.
