By TRT Staff with notes from the ISWO and the ASC
ONTARIO — The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), founded by the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) and sanctioned by Hockey Canada, provides a forum for elite Bantam and Midget-aged Aboriginal hockey players from across Canada showcasing the athletic abilities of athletes from across the country, while also fostering cultural unity and pride. An event held annually since 2001, the NAHC also serves as a focal point for grassroots and regional Aboriginal hockey development.
On October 27, 2021, the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) announced that Membertou, Nova Scotia, will be the host for the 2022 NAHC. The event will take place from May 7 to May 14, 2022, at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre with over 500 participants expected to be in attendance. Membertou has a long history of hosting national level events, including the 2018 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.
“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.
Indigenous Sport and Wellness Ontario (ISWO) is now accepting applications for volunteer General Managers and Scouts. These positions will lead and assist the Male and Female Divisions of Team Ontario to compete at the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). ISWO will take up to four teams to represent Team Ontario at this Hockey Canada sanctioned event which will be held in Membertou, Nova Scotia, from May 7th – 14th, 2022.
The NAHC serves as a premier event that annually showcases elite minor level Indigenous hockey players from across Canada. The NAHC are designed as an elite, all-star format where the best hockey players are selected to compete on behalf of their respective province/territory. This event is inclusive, meaning anyone of Indigenous ancestry, including First Nations – Status and non-Status, Inuit, and Métis, are eligible to compete.
The step by step break down of the registration process includes: Download and fill in the application. Forms can be completed electronically or printed and filled in by hand. Completed applications can be submitted through: Email: Team.Ontario@iswo.ca (preferred method); or Fax: 905-412-0325. Applicants are asked to include the subject line “Application for 2022 NAHC Bench Staff.” Applications must be received no later than 11:59 pm EST on December 20, 2021 to be considered.
Eligible candidates may be asked to have an in-person, online and/or phone interview. Forms will remain open until positions are filled. All applications will be considered; however, Coaches of Indigenous descent (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis) are preferred.
Tryouts for Team Ontario will also be announced soon.
