Statue of Indigenous hockey icon Fred Sasakamoose unveiled in Saskatoon
A statue of Indigenous hockey trailblazer Fred Sasakamoose was unveiled outside SaskTel Centre on Wednesday.
“I’m overwhelmed with mixed emotions. You’re memorializing someone you wish was here,” said Sasakamoose’s son Neil.
Sasakamoose, from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, was one of the first Indigenous hockey players from Canada to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1953-1954 season.
After retiring from competitive hockey a few years later, Sasakamoose dedicated his life to encouraging young people through sport and breaking the racial barrier for Indigenous hockey players in the NHL.
“He didn’t believe in any racism or hate. He only believed in love in his heart, so I think that’s a message for everyone,” Neil said.
“(The statue is) designed for Indigenous people to be proud, first of all. And it’s designed for Canadian people to understand the differences and the struggles that this generation had, and it’s following through today.”
Sasakamoose died in November 2020 after contracting COVID-19.
The statue was commissioned by the Synergy 8 Community Builders as well as the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) and the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs.
“Recognizing Indian people for their success because Indian people have value and you see it when we have leaders like Fred, we can make a difference,” STC Tribal Chief Mark Arcand said at the unveiling ceremony.
Mayor Charlie Clark also shared some words on what it means to have this statue in Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory.
“Kids walking up the steps will see Fred Sasakamoose on one side, Gordie Howe on the other and be able to draw inspiration and strength.”
Representatives from the NHL also came out to show their support and recognize the work Sasakamoose has done to make the game more inclusive.
“What he represents to Indigenous communities across Canada and the U.S. is unmatched. We at the NHL are working hard to bring Indigenous boys and girls to our game and show them a better sport, but Fred did this effortlessly,” said Rob Knesaurek, vice president of diversity with the NHL.
Brigette Lacquette, a pro scout for the Chicago Blackhawks who is from Mallard, Man. and Cote First Nation Saskatchewan, shared the team’s appreciation for everything Sasakamoose has done.
“We’re so proud to have Fred as one of the team’s distinguished alumni. He inspired, continues to inspire many across our great game of hockey and throughout North America,” she said.
Neil said he hopes the statue will help inspire the next generation of Indigenous athletes and act as a reminder for people to always remember where they came from.
“If you’re born in a small town or a First Nation or Metis community, don’t get too big for your britches. Always remember where you come from and who put you there,” he said.
“And that’s what my dad did, he could’ve stayed in the U.S. and he could’ve lived a life of hockey and travelling, but he came back to his community and he lived there until the day he died. So, that’s his reminder, that’s how my dad would’ve said it. Always remember where you come from.”
The statue unveiling comes a day before the Fred Sasakamoose Chief Thunderstick National Hockey Championship kicks off at Merlis Belsher Place and the Rod Hamm Memorial Arena.
The tournament features First Nations, Metis and Inuit men’s and women’s hockey teams from across Canada and runs from May 19 to 21.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.