By TRT Staff, with notes from the ASC website
NOVA SCOTIA — In a media release, the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) announced the host for the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), which has been awarded to Membertou, Nova Scotia.
The event is set to take place May 7-14, 2022 at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre with over 500 participants expected to be in attendance for the NAHC. Membertou has a long history of hosting national level events, including the 2018 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, and the Membertou National Aboriginal Hockey Championships Society held the official announcement event last month.
“Membertou is thrilled to welcome back the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship in May 2022. Hockey is a sport that means so much to our community, and we look forward to welcoming Indigenous talent from across Canada to our ice,” said Chief Terry Paul, Membertou, in the ASC release.
“As a representative of our Board of Directors and staff, I want to thank Membertou, Nova Scotia for stepping in and hosting the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. Membertou hosted an extremely successful Championship in 2018 and the ASC has great confidence that Membertou will host a fantastic event in May 2022,” said Rob Newman, ASC President in the ASC release.
“When the pandemic hit we went through two tough years without the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. The COVID-19 fourth wave created a continued strain in many parts of the country and led to the 2022 NAHC no longer being scheduled in Regina. I want to thank Chief Terry Paul and the Membertou First Nation for ensuring the Championships are not missed for a third straight year and for welcoming us to their traditional territory. We are excited to be returning to Membertou in 2022,” said Jeff Spencer, ASC Hockey Committee Chair, in the ASC release.
“After two years of postponements of the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, the ASC is incredibly grateful that Membertou is providing a way for our Indigenous youth to hit the ice in 2022. I recognize that the timeline for planning such a significant event is a short one and ASC staff will be on-hand to help in any way we possibly can,” said Sandi Swanigan, ASC Interim CEO, in the ASC release.
The ASC established the NAHC in 2002 to serve as the premiere competition for young Indigenous hockey players in Canada. It provides a forum for elite 13 to 17-year-old Indigenous male and female youth. It attracts participation from First Nation, Inuit and Metis across thirteen provinces and territories. This annual event helps foster cultural unity and pride to celebrate the athletic abilities of Indigenous athletes from across the country.