The University of Saskatchewan has launched a special interactive video tribute to the province’s top Indigenous athletes and sport builders.
The video display is located in the physical activity complex and features such athletes as hockey greats Fred Sasakamoose and Bryan Trottier, track, soccer and basketball star Jacqueline Lavallee and First Nations Summer Games builder Tony Cote.
U of S Dean of Kinesiology Chad London says one of the reasons the university launched the display is to recognize the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action Number 87.
“After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report came out in 2015, one of the calls to action specifically speaks to what (sports) halls of fame and other organizations can do to recognize Indigenous athletes,” he says. “And we said, ‘You know, how can we be part of the solution there?’”
London adds there are so many amazing Indigenous athletes, with their own unique stories, that have come out of Saskatchewan that likely much of the non-Indigenous community is unaware of.
“I think that the general population may not be aware of some of these stories and there are some amazing athletic careers that these folks have had that’s going to inspire people that come on to campus.”
The official unveiling ceremony of the interactive video display was done on Friday.
All featured athletes are members of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
Other athletes that are currently part of the tribute include Claude Petit, Jim Neilson, David Greyeyes, Paul Acoose and Alexander “Alex” Decoteau.
London says the university will continue to add other Indigenous athletes.
(PHOTO: Former NHLer Fred Sasakamoose looks at his Chicago Blackhawks jersey in a University of Saskatchewan display. Photo courtesy U of S)