Chief suits up for True North in reconciliation effort

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/04/2021 (1974 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For Kevin Chief, there’s one major difference between his former job as an MLA for Point Douglas and his current one with True North Sports and Entertainment.

“I get to wear sport shirts to work,” he laughs, “I haven’t worn a suit in months.”

The former NDP cabinet minister constantly wears a Winnipeg Jets hoodie or shirt these days. The ones he wears, however, feature the Indigenized version of the team logo, which was created by Pimicikamak First Nation artist Leticia Spence.

“I love what it says and how it amplifies Leticia’s voice and Indigenous youth,” Chief says. “I love that I can help True North understand their role in reconciliation.”

It was unveiled last season during the third annual weekend of games that honour the partnership between the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre, which Chief co-founded in 1999, and True North. This week, the team released new apparel that features the logo and a red practice jersey, to be worn by players during the warmup against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight, the annual celebration of aboriginal sport achievement.

Like last year, fans can bid on the special jerseys in an online auction following the game.

Proceeds from all sales of the aboriginal merchandise support youth initiatives and provide equipment for northern communities such as Duck Bay, Shamattawa, Pauingassi, Lac Brochet, and Bunibonibee Cree Nation.

True North gave the centre $62,000 last year.

“We even bought them fishing rods, too,” said Chief.

It’s part of Chief’s new role as senior adviser of community development at True North. Co-owner Mark Chipman said Friday it’s a “logical step” in the organization’s “ongoing commitment to reconciliation.”

“After years of volunteering for us, we’re excited Kevin has come on board,” Chipman told me. “This year’s game is expanded because of his consistent role.”

Even if there will be no live fans to appreciate it, this year’s game will have some of the strongest Indigenous presence yet. After last year’s singing of O Canada in Ojibwa by the Strong Warrior Girls, this year will feature the iconic Métis singer Ray St. Germain alongside a multimedia presentation of the territorial acknowledgement honouring Inuit, Métis, and First Nations cultures.

The acknowledgement will be made at every Jets and Manitoba Moose home game from now on.

It’s part of a growing partnership between Chief and True North that has deepened Indigenous relationships with the team.

I know, because I was introduced to the team by Chief back in 2016 and asked to write the territorial acknowledgement.

Chief also helped the team listen to Indigenous fans such as Jordan Wheeler, and work with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to develop policies to ban headdresses at games in 2015.

He also helped True North organize a sacred, traditional blessing and song by Indigenous women to open up the downtown True North Square.

While NHL teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks continue to perpetuate racist images on their jerseys, and players such as Vancouver Canucks goaltender Brayden Holtby misrepresent Indigenous art on their helmets, the Winnipeg Jets have funded Indigenous hockey teams, featured Indigenous voices and art at games, and even went against NHL policy during the Heritage Classic in Regina by requiring a territorial acknowledgement be announced before the 2019 game.

“Kevin has been essential in providing us guidance and support,” Chipman said. “And, with our increasing commitments to work with more and more Indigenous communities, he will be needed more and more.”

Chief doesn’t know how long he’ll continue to work with True North but it’s been fulfilling since he left politics.

“My work at True North gives me a chance to advocate for our communities again,” he says. “Here, I can feature our voices on a global stage and make our people proud.”

Indigenous communities and hockey are particularly connected this year. Two weeks ago, Elsipogtog First Nation was named the winner of this year’s Kraft Hockeyville contest, earning funding for an arena (a fire burned down the last one), a potential NHL exhibition game, and much media attention.

Others in the NHL are following the lead of the Jets this year, too.

Edmonton Oilers player Ethan Bear had his name spelled in Cree on his jersey during an exhibition game.

The Las Vegas Golden Knights featured defenceman Zach Whitecloud from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in stories that made it onto NBC primetime news.

The NHL head office is even getting with the program. This season, a league official issued a statement saying: “We believe authentically connecting and engaging with Indigenous communities… is a key area for our growth and, frankly, a strategic responsibility.”

Now, if only the Jets could just win a game on the aboriginal sport achievement night. They’ve lost their first two (against Ottawa and last year against Tampa Bay). Let’s smudge and hope.

niigaan.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca