March 4, 2023 – The Calgary Flames are set to host the very first Indigenous Celebration Game Night at the Saddledome this evening. Leaders from the Kainai Nation will be in attendance where the Calgary Flames are to do their much-anticipated Land Acknowledgement.
Tony Delaney, Blood Tribe Council member states, “The Land Acknowledgement is significant because it acknowledges the existence of Indigenous peoples, including the Blackfoot, who have lived on this land since before recorded history.” But he cautions that the acknowledgement needs to be done right and for it to be done right, Indigenous people need to be listened to. The Flames have been the only Canadian team in the National Hockey League (NHL) that have not included a land acknowledgement before their games.
The Calgary Flames are host to the Minnesota Wild at the Saddledome with the Indigenous Celebrations to start pre-game; puck drops at 8:00 PM MST. During the puck drop ceremony, Blood Tribe Chief Makiinima will be present alongside all other Treaty 7 Chiefs. During the Flames’ warm-up, players will be wearing custom designed jerseys by Treaty 7 members Jacob Alexis and Richard Running Rabbit. The jerseys will be available in an online auction with proceeds going to Indigenous youth programming.
(Calgary Flames, Twitter)
(Calgary Flames, Twitter)
