GAME CHANGERS BY WENDY HELFENBAUM from six provinces have joined the Adviso- ry Circle, including elders, people in mid-career and youth representatives. “I’ve been involved with hockey for over 60 years; it’s a lifetime passion that saved my life throughout my childhood until today,” says Dr. Littlechild. “It’s quite a pioneering initiative, and I think what we’re doing together could be a template for other sports across the country to follow suit. It’s a unique opportunity at the highest level of Hockey Canada to be able to advise wherever we can as a circle. That’s why I’m so excited; this is a new model for national sports.” Hockey Canada is a signatory to the Commonwealth Sport Declaration on Reconciliation and Partnership, and Pattyn says the IAC will draw on key initiatives and recommendations with- in that document and other reports, including and the National Indigenous Economic Strategy. “This group has a strong interest in impacting anti-Indigenous racism on participation and retention and helping Hockey Canada monitor progress, including joining or hosting international working groups to share best practices and co-create solutions,” she notes. “They want to have a global voice and impact on growing the game, and they have a specific interest in women and girls, which aligns well with Hockey Canada’s strategic initiatives.” I N NOVEMBER 2025, Hockey Canada created its first Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) to guide efforts to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through sport. The organization made a strong commitment to inclusion initiatives in 2023, publishing its first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Path Forward, which outlined ongoing work to drive long-term, sustainable change within hockey while respecting, protecting and promoting the rights and opportu- nities of Indigenous Peoples. An updated version, Integrating Inclusion, was released in January 2026. The IAC was formed to provide strategic directions and recom- mendations that will help inform polices, programs and practices related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, especially 87 to 91 around the power of sport, says Denise Pattyn, senior vice-president of people, culture and inclu- sion for Hockey Canada. “We don’t want the work to be performative, so we’ve been work- ing hard to capture the voice and lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples to support us in our efforts,” she explains. A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY The IAC’s inaugural chair, Dr. Willie Littlechild, of the Ermineskin Cree Nation in Maskwacis, AB, is a Companion of the Order of Canada, a Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame inductee, and a residential school survivor whose work as a lawyer and Member of Parliament have made him an international advocate. Ten other representatives PHOTOS : HEATHER POLLACK/HOCKEY CANADA “ It’s quite a pioneering initiative, and I think what we’re doing together could be a template for other sports across the country to follow suit.” — Dr. Willie Littlechild HOCKEY CANADA’S INDIGENOUS ADVISORY CIRCLE Indigenous artist Kory Parkin designed this Team Canada jersey for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Dr. Willie Littlechild 10 ADRENALIN | SPRING 2026 ADRENALINMAG.CA
