"It's not just to say that we're doing the right thing because we have a certain number of First Nations people involved. It's to learn and have the knowledge of the First Nations people, because we'll be better for it. It will enrich our sport."

Former National Hockey League player Andrew Ference is now the NHL Director of Social Impact, Growth and Legislative affairs. He joins the Akhameyimok Podcast to talk about how the NHL is working to open up the game to First Nations people, and all Canadians, to better reflect the makeup of the country. His work includes programs that help offset the cost of hockey, bringing ball hockey to diverse communities and tournaments that focus on fun, something he believes needs to return to the game. The goal, he says, is to unite communities across North America and keep young people active, which is key to their mental and physical health. Ference also talks about his history of supporting environmental causes, what he's learned from First Nations elders about the environment and how he teamed up with David Suzuki to start a program that saw hundreds of NHL players offsetting their carbon footprints.

Andrew Ference played 18 years in the NHL, won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins and was captain of his hometown Edmonton Oilers before he retired and became the NHL Director of Social Impact, Growth and Legislative Affairs in 2018.

NHL Links on Hockey Inclusion:

https://www.nhl.com/info/nhl-declaration-of-principles

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-announces-initiatives-to-combat-racism-accelerate-inclusion-efforts/c-318873398

Inclusive Youth Hockey Programs mentioned in the Podcast:

Bauer First Shift:

https://www.firstshift.ca/the-program/

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program:

https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/

A big thanks goes out to the Red Dog Singers of Treaty 4 Territory in Saskatchewan for our theme song, Intertribal.

The Ahkameyimok Podcast is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions.