Aboriginal Junior A Hockey Games broadcast live on Aboriginal People Television Network (APTN)

Aboriginal Junior A Hockey Games broadcast live on Aboriginal People Television Network (APTN):

Whereas Manitoba Junior A Hockey League (www.mjhlhockey.ca), of the national Canadian Junior A Hockey League (www.cjahl.com), has three aboriginal owned hockey teams associated with their organization; and

Whereas the Manitoba (MB) three aboriginal teams are the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) Blizzard (www.ocnblizzard.com) of The Pas, the Waywayseecappo Wolverines (www.waywaywolverines.mb.ca) of Waywayseecappo, and the Southeast Blades (www.southeastblades.mb.ca) of Fort Alexander; and

Whereas the Aboriginal People Television Network (APTN), formerly the Television Network of Northern Canada (TVNC), is an national aboriginal television network; and

Whereas in February 1998 the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) stated that TVNC was an unique and significant undertaking and that a national aboriginal channel should be widely available throughout Canada in order to serve the diverse needs of the various aboriginal communities, as well as other Canadians; and

Whereas the launch of the APTN on September 1st, 1999 represents a significant milestone for Aboriginal Canada for the first time in broadcast history, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people have the opportunity to share their stories with the rest of the world on a national television network dedicated to Aboriginal programming. APTN offers all Canadians a window into the remarkably diverse worlds of Indigenous people in Canada and throughout the world; and

Whereas the above statement represents a significant number of Aboriginal and Non-aboriginal people that enjoy and participate in the national sport of Canada, known as hockey, which has it origins in pre-contact Aboriginal tribes and communities dating back to time immemorial; and

Whereas the TVNC use to broadcast video hockey games of the Lebrett Eagles (now defunct), of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, and it known to have gathered a fairly large Aboriginal following; and

Whereas APTN has since removed the video hockey games of the Lebrett Eagles; and

Whereas the Brandon Wheat Kings (www.wheatkings.com) head coach Dean Clark, of the Western Hockey League (www.whl.ca), has made this recent statement about a Brandon Wheat Kings games on Rogers Sportnet (www.ctvsportnet.com): Every time youre on national TV you get some exposure, and that gets the guys fired up. and Not only are the leagues fans watching, but everybody else is watching the OHL and QMJHL because its a nationally televised game, continued Clark. Its a chance to show to everybody what weve got and that creates some excitement with the guys.; and

Therefore be it resolved that the undersigned, of Aboriginal and Non-aboriginal people, request that the national APTN broadcast live MJHL hockey games of the three Aboriginal owned hockey teams when they meet in their respective communities, which also will allow our Aboriginal hockey players to receive more exposure to the viewing public as described in the above statement; and

Furthermore, be it resolved that APTN gather and seek support from all its viewing public for the above mentioned hockey games; and

Furthermore, be it resolved that APTN will do everything possible to ensure that the goal of the petition is met in a timely manner, and

Furthermore, be it resolved that APTN will do everything possible to find sponsorship for the above recommended hockey games to ensure the petitions goal is feasible to nationally broadcast the above mentioned hockey games; and

Let it be known that the APTN motto is Original People, Original Television the APTN is sharing our peoples journey, celebrating our cultures, inspiring our children and honouring the wisdom of our Elders, which indirectly would make reference to Aboriginal stewardship of our cultural and traditional link to hockey.