Treaty 2 Territory – The flags of 11 First Nations were held in honour the night of February 9, 2019. It was a historic night for Dauphin and the First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory; a night of reconciliation and continued peace and friendship. The first ever “Hockey Night in Treaty 2” was held to proclaim the Treaty 2 Territory, which Dauphin is located in. The Hockey night was a joint effort between the Dauphin Kings and the First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory in the spirit of reconciliation and to spur a better understanding of the treaties that were made in the territory and which brought opportunity for settlement and immigration for the newcomers to these lands.
The Treaty 2 Hockey Night began with honouring the Chiefs and Councils of the 11 First Nations who are current members of the First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory Government. All of the 11 Chiefs wore their traditional leadership headdresses and ribbon shirts to signifying their leadership in the contemporary context but which are also represent their ancestral leadership. The flags of each of the First Nations were showcased and present for the audience to uphold. Anishinaabe protocol started with Master of Ceremonies Darcy Malcolm, from Ebb and Flow was privileged by providing a drum honour song that was sung by the Rock Eagle Drum Group from Ebb & Flow and prayer was provided by Elder Mary Houle, also from Ebb & Flow. When the drum starting on Saturday you could feel the spirits of the people in the building. Both none and First Nation people were present to enjoy a celebration of bringing the two together within a territory that will move and prosper. “We need to work together, build relationships and bridge the gap” Said Grand Chief Eugene Eastman.
Grand Chief Eastman and Boh Kubrakovich, Senior Official who initiated the event presented the City of Dauphin’s Deputy Major Bellemer up to accept the flag and map of the Treaty 2 Territory. Grand Chief stated, “I would like to recognize the City of Dauphin as our second largest city in the territory and we are here to all work together. After 147 years and much unfinished business we are willing to work together on reconciliation.” Deputy Mayor accepted the flag and took part of the honouring session.“Together we can achieve a lot, working together for the future generations is needed”, saidthe Deputy Mayor.
Singers from Skownan First Nation sang “Oh Canada” to begin the hockey game. In the Spirit of reconciliation, the Dauphin Kings hockey team wore Treaty 2 Territory jerseys as their own that night and promoted themselves as part of the territory. This would be the first in the Dauphin Kings history to wear these jerseys representing the First Nations in the territory. Truly historic for the fans of the Kings. Chief Barry Mckay from Tootinaowaziibeeng, representing Treaty 4, which is also located in the Treaty 2 Territory, presented tobacco to the Coaches of both teams and put focus on team work, working together, building partnerships and the spirit of sport.
In recognition of Dauphin Kings current player Nakodan Greyeyes, who is a Treaty 2 member, Chief Garnet Woodhouse and his Council present him with the official jersey of the Treaty 2 Territory Winter Games 2020 jersey. Him and his family will remember it as a memorable night, as they witnessed the special recognition of his role within the Dauphin Kings team. The Dauphin Kings hockey team will now recognize that not only is Greyeyes their team mate in hockey but a partner in reconciliation in the spirit of the Treaty that brought them together to honour both their ancestry and historic agreements.
Our Youth and Sport Council played a role along with our Council of Chiefs to have their members come in by the bus loads. Community members from the First Nations joined long-time Kings fans to enjoy a night of hockey and begin new friendships, much like the original Treaty was intended. People were grateful for the opportunity and many openly discussed how much pride they had in the event and the mark it had in the reconciliation process between the Settlers and the First Nations.
The Hockey Night in Treaty 2 started with a dream, a conversation will Treaty 2 and the Dauphin Kings. It started with the showing casing of the 2020 Treaty 2 Territory Winter Games in Pinaymootang official jersey. A jersey that is a symbol of the work the Nation is doing in sport and recreation for our young people. A jersey that unites the Nation in a sport so rich our members have played for many years.
The Treaty 2 Territory Hockey Night of February 9, 2019 is one for the history books, but the work toward fuller reconciliation now begins. Lets keep the momentum strong and positive, just as we witnessed through the hockey.
The D-Town Steppers a youthful and energic Square Dance Group danced during the 2nd period intermission while the host musical Band, the Mousseau Brothers from Ebb n Flow played some great music during that time and pregame.
Grand Chief Eastman and Deputy Mayor dropped the puck with all the Chiefs by their side along with the captains from the Kings and Blizzard exchanging tobacco and sweat grass. MC Darcy Malcolm closed off the night by thanking everyone that was in attendance.
Last modified: March 3, 2019
