PDF Letter – Jan2021_LLRIB_PressRelease
Hockey Saskatchewan Action Sought Over On-Ice Incident
La Ronge, Jan. 28 th 2022 (Friday): The Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief and Council has condemned racism
in hockey in the Province and is pressing for action against players, coaches, officials and/or teams found
guilty of racial harassment.
LLRIB Councillor Jimmy Charles has filed a written complaint with Hockey Saskatchewan about U15 Tisdale
Ramblers hurling racial slurs at Stanley Mission Riverhawks. The incident occurred during a U15
tournament in Shellbrook near Prince Albert on Saturday. The LLRIB, in its complaint to Saskatchewan
Hockey, has sought an apology from U15 Tisdale Ramblers; the letter highlights that players from the Far
North have “always had to deal with situations like this”. Councillor Charles said players, mentors and
coaches must remember that the chief purposes of a sport are to equip one with a skill and ensure not
just personal but also inter-personal development. “Racism defeats such goals,” he said. He urged Hockey
Saskatchewan to “educate the players, educate the audience (as) education targets the problem”.
Hockey Saskatchewan, a branch of Hockey Canada, is the governing body of all ice hockey in the Province.
LLRIB Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said, “Such incidents are appalling and go against the basic principles
of sportsmanship — respect, responsibility, fairness, honesty, integrity and good citizenship. LLRIB has
been promoting hockey as one of the means to develop youth through sports. Incidents such as these
discourage young hockey players and strike at the very root of our efforts. We urge Hockey Saskatchewan,
as the apex body of all ice hockey in the province, to take the incident with utmost seriousness and ensure
there is zero tolerance for racism.”
The LLRIB Chief pointed out that “Section 11 – Maltreatment” was introduced in Hockey Canada’s
rulebook last year to ensure players, irrespective of age, enjoy the game free from incidents of abuse,
discrimination, racism or any other forms of maltreatment, on and off the ice. The rule is applicable for
all of the national governing body’s 13 members, local hockey associations and officials.
LLRIB Councillor Devin Bernatchez, a known educationist and sports promoter within the Band, said racism
has been a social evil for long, since his hockey-playing days. “In a country like Canada where we pride
ourselves for our diversity and inclusion, racism of any kind has no place. Such social evils need to be
condemned, countered and crushed. I hope Saskatchewan Hockey does its bit.”
For queries, please contact
Deepan Dasgupta | [email protected] | +1-639-916-2605
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