MAINSTREAM
TEAMS 

This Initiative is designed to strengthen the visibility, participation, and representation of Indigenous peoples within competitive hockey across Canada and North America. This program highlights both Indigenous athletes competing on mainstream teams and Indigenous-led teams entering mainstream tournaments, creating a unified platform that celebrates excellence, culture, and community leadership.

Indigenous Athletes on Mainstream Teams

• Profile and promote Indigenous players competing in minor leagues, junior leagues, collegiate leagues, professional organizations, and national-level hockey.

• Share player and team stories, achievements, and cultural journeys through multimedia, digital storytelling, and community-based recognition campaigns.

• Highlight the unique leadership and resilience that Indigenous athletes bring to mainstream hockey environments.

• Promote the team in Hockey Indigenous's social media.

Indigenous Teams in Mainstream Tournaments

• Support and showcase Indigenous hockey teams entering regional, provincial, and national tournaments.

• Promote team participation and highlight success in mainstream competition.

• Strengthen relationships between tournament organizers and Indigenous communities to increase representation and create equitable participation opportunities.

• Encourage tournament spaces that welcome cultural practices such as land acknowledgements, drum openings, beadwork or logo culture, and Indigenous-led ceremonies.

Indigenous Inspiration, Advocacy, and Development

• Connect Indigenous athletes with mainstream-level Indigenous players.

• Encourage athletes to pursue competitive hockey by showing them role models who reflect their identity and experiences.

• Promote fair access, visibility, and equity for Indigenous athletes navigating mainstream hockey systems.

• Work with organizations, sponsors, and communities to create sustainable long-term support for Indigenous representation in the sport.

Vision.

Supporting

To build a future where Indigenous hockey players and teams are fully represented, respected, and celebrated across all mainstream hockey platforms—creating a stronger and more inclusive game for everyone.

Culture

Promote cultural identity, inclusion, and recognition of Indigenous Peoples through storytelling, ceremonies, and cultural education.

Partnerships

Create strong relationships with leagues, teams, tournament organizers, and sponsors to improve access and equity.

OVER 3,500

Indigenous Youth promoted since 2015