National Aboriginal Hockey Championships is an ice hockey championship established in Canada by the Aboriginal Sport Circle. The tournament provides an annual opportunity for aboriginal youth across Canada to compete for the NAHC title. Teams are selected and representative of each province and territory.
History
Founded in 2002, the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. The NAHC also serves as a focal point for grassroots and regional Aboriginal hockey development. Both girls' and boys' teams are eligible to compete in this competition. The location of the tournament varies every year and hosting rights are determined by a bidding policy put in place by the Aboriginal Sport Circle.
From 2002 within the female division historically speaking, the data collected from past Championship results suggests that Ontario consistently produces the most successful hockey teams within the female division. Capitalizing on six gold medals, nine silver medals and four bronze medals, they have successfully medaled in thirteen of seventeen tournaments. This is a 76% success rate for Ontario’s Indigenous Female Youth teams. See Table 1. The total number of medals attained by each Province/Territory is recorded in Table 3.1.
Table 1. Female Division: Medal Results (Aboriginal Sport Circle, n.d.)
Male Division Results
From 2002 within the male division, the data collected from past championship results suggests that Saskatchewan consistently produces the most successful hockey teams within the male division. This province has achieved eight gold medals, one silver medal and two bronze medals; they have successfully medaled in thirteen of seventeen tournaments. This is a 57% success rate for Ontario’s Indigenous Male Youth teams. See Table 2. The total number of medals attained by each Province/Territory is recorded in Table 3.2.
Table 2. Male Division: Medal Results (Aboriginal Sport Circle, n.d.)
Table 3.1. Total Medal Count: Female Division
Table 3.2. Total Medal Count: Male Division
Key Activities and Awards
Indigenous youth athletes between the ages of 13-years-old and 18-years-old try-out for their provincial/territorial teams annually. Those individuals who make the team then participate in the annual NAHC as a member of their provincial/territorial team. Each team in the competition is competing against other provinces and territories from across Canada. First, second, and third place finalists are all recognized in this tournament. Both the boys’ and girls’ division first place teams receive gold medals; the teams who place second in each division receive silver medals, while the teams who place third receive bronze medals.
Organizers
Hosting rights of this event is a result of a successful bidding process performed by provincial/territorial hockey associations. To be eligible, the bid must be approved by its Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body. Only one community can bid per Province/Territory. Once selected, the hosting site works with the Aboriginal Sport Circle to coordinate the annual championship. Together they often recruit local volunteers to assist with preparation and execution of the event. Moreover, sponsors aid by providing funding and in-kind contributions for each annual event. As a sanctioned Hockey Canada event, the NAHC are staged annually during the first two weeks in May. This ensures that the NAHC do not conflict with any of the Provincial/Territorial Bantam and Midget Hockey Championships.
Cultural Practices
The NAHC is a week-long event with opening ceremonies conducted on the first day and closing awards ceremonies conducted following the final Gold Medal Game. The championship begins with an opening ceremony that includes Indigenous cultural practices. Indigenous attire, music and dance are included in this ceremonial moment that ignites the beginning of the Championship. Additionally, the ceremony often includes an introduction of members of the host committee, special speakers, and VIP guests. All teams participating in the Championship are present during the opening ceremony.
