Beyond 94 | 87. Tell the stories of Aboriginal athletes throughout history

In August 2020, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame launched the Educational experience of indigenous sports heroesa digital book that explores the history and contributions of Indigenous athletes.

In December 2017, the Hall of Fame launched an online exhibition that includes a section on Indigenous athletes. Canadian History and Society: Through the Lens of Sport introduces significant athletes and periods in Canada’s history and how they influenced each other.

The section on Aboriginal athletes in Canada focuses on prominent Indigenous athletes in Canada’s history, dating back to 1903. At the time, Harry Manson, a Snuneumuxw First Nations soccer player, was one of three Indigenous players who helped win the provincial championships in British Columbia. Manson was inducted into the British Columbia Hall of Fame in 2015.

Critics say the section is incomplete and does not tell the national stories of Indigenous athletes. Janice Forsyth, director of Indigenous studies at Western University and author of 2020’s “Reclaiming Tom Longboat,” said this exhibition and other examples from the province do not provide comprehensive public education.

A Sport Canada spokesperson told CBC News they also educated Canadians about Aboriginal athletes through their financial support of the 2017 North American Indigenous Games. At the time, the federal government provided $3.5 million to finance the games, which were held in Ontario.

In 2017 the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame inducted Indigenous lacrosse player Gaylord Powless.

In February 2017, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame launched a special exhibition entitled “The Stories of Indigenous Athletes: Rights and Wrongs.” It was the first time the SSHF featured Indigenous athletes in a stand-alone exhibition. The exhibition ended in September 2017.

In August 2017, the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto honored a team made up of residential school survivors from the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba. The Sagkeeng Oldtimers team was founded in 1978 and competed in tournaments in North America and Europe.

Other gymnasiums in the province have recognized several Indigenous athletes over the years.