Saturday, March 9, 2024
Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) is excited to participate for the second time in the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) during its 50th Anniversary celebrations happening in various arenas throughout Markham. ITO is set to enrich the experience for athletes and their families with a variety of entertaining and educational activities. These include interactive sessions that merge practical skills with storytelling and discussions, not only offering lessons in meal preparation or enhancing a windmill softball pitch but also providing insights into the diverse career opportunities within the tourism industry, focusing on Experiential, Sport, and Culinary sectors.
Expert-led activations include: Neil Debassige of Fuel the Fire, who will offer archery lessons along with a virtual reality experience; NHL veterans, Jason Simon and Kalley Armstrong, who will elevate hockey skills; Kevin Sandy, Haudenosaunee Lacrosse Director, will share lacrosse fundamentals and its cultural significance; Carey-Leigh Vyse, a Team Canada Softball alum, will enhance baseball skills and discuss holistic health; and renowned chefs Joseph Shawana and Tawnya Brant will host culinary workshops, encouraging hands-on participation to craft unique dishes.
“On behalf of ITO, we are honoured to support all LNHL’s pillars, but especially Education, by providing all tournament participants the opportunity to experience tourism in a way that will instill new skills, confidence, and pride in everyone involved. We are privileged to help and support this vital event and their exceptional team of dedicated volunteers. We wish to congratulate the founding First Nations of Aundeck Omni Kaning, M’Chigeeng, Whitefish River, as well as all the past and present participating First Nation communities, families, and players, who have helped the tradition of the Little NHL to grow and thrive since 1971.”
Don’t miss ITO’s second Skode Live Pitch Session on Tuesday evening, showcasing the 2024 Skode finalists as they pitch their Indigenous Tourism concepts to a panel for a chance to win a $20,000 Grand Prize. This initiative is a partnership between ITO and the Tourism Innovation Lab, aimed at supporting Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs with funding and mentorship.
“Congratulations to the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) on celebrating 50 years of providing positive, formative hockey experiences to Indigenous youth from communities across Ontario,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “This year’s inductees to the LNHL Hall of Fame showcase the significant and meaningful contributions that Indigenous communities make to the cultural and economic landscape in our province, and provide an example to tournament participants that will encourage their pursuit of excellence – on and off the ice.“
ITO is also reviving the “All-Stars Cup” daily draw, rewarding participants with a “stamp” for each activity they join. These stamps are entries for daily prize draws, including autographed NHL jerseys, team t-shirts, sporting equipment, and Virtual Reality headsets.
Get a preview of these activities at the Opening Day Festival at the Markham Civic Centre from 12pm to 7:30pm on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Enjoy free dish samples from Chefs Joseph Shawana and Tawnya Brant, lacrosse demonstrations with Kevin Sandy, and archery with Neil Debassige. ITO representatives will be available to assist with registration for sessions scheduled from Monday through Wednesday at the Angus Glen Community Centre and the Centennial Community Centre. The event will conclude with an impressive drone show depicting the history of the LNHL against the night sky.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
