The Montréal Victoire Indigenous Peoples Celebration Unity Game on Sunday, March 15 is designed to honor Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and histories, and to recognize the ongoing contributions of Indigenous artists, leaders, athletes, and community-builders within hockey and across sport. Through ceremony, cultural performance and in-arena recognition, the game creates space for reflection, learning, and meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities. Programming throughout the night is developed with care and respect, centering Indigenous voices and traditions within the game-day experience.
Pre-Game Programming
Live Land Acknowledgment A live land acknowledgment will be delivered in Mohawk, French, and English by Adysson Stacey, honoring the traditional territories and the enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples connected to the Montreal region. This multilingual acknowledgment reflects both respect for Indigenous languages and a commitment to meaningful recognition within the game-day experience.
National Anthem The national anthem will be performed by Élisabeth St-Gelais, an Innu soprano from the community of Pessamit. Known for her powerful voice and performances across Canada and internationally, St-Gelais brings a strong presence of Indigenous artistry and excellence to the opening moments of the Indigenous Peoples Celebration Unity Game.
Ceremonial Puck Drop The ceremonial puck drop will be performed by Francis Verreault-Paul, former hockey player and Chef de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec–Labrador, alongside Kehte Dailleboust, a minor league hockey goaltender and traditional dancer. Their joint participation reflects Indigenous leadership across generations and disciplines—from sport to governance to cultural expression—and honors the deep and ongoing connection between Indigenous communities and the game of hockey.
Intermission Programming
1st Intermission A live traditional singing performance will take place during intermission by Atsenhakèniate Lazare, accompanied by traditional Powwow dancers. This performance centers Indigenous cultural expression within the game-night experience, honoring song and movement as powerful forms of storytelling, ceremony, and community connection.
2nd Intermission The second intermission will feature a live DJ set by DJ POPTRT, bringing contemporary Indigenous music and energy into the arena and contributing to the celebration of Indigenous creativity and cultural expression throughout the game-night experience. A live traditional singing performance will take place during intermission by Singing Wind Deer, accompanied by traditional Powwow dancers. This performance centers Indigenous cultural expression within the game-night experience, honoring song and movement as powerful forms of storytelling, ceremony, and community connection.
In-Game Recognition & Storytelling
Indigenous Peoples Celebration Unity Game messaging and storytelling will be woven throughout the game experience via PA reads, video board content, and in-arena acknowledgements. These moments will reinforce the purpose of the night, highlight participating community members and cultural contributors, and recognize Indigenous presence and impact within hockey and beyond.
Shark Ninja Warrior of the Game Kateri Lucier-Laboucan of the Native Friendship Centre of Montréal will be recognized as the Shark Ninja Warrior of the Game. The Native Friendship Centre of Montréal supports Indigenous community members through programs focused on culture, wellness, youth development and social support.
Unity Artist Activation
Featured Artist: Wahsontahawi Stacey (Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory)
The Montréal Victoire commissioned Wahsontahawi Stacey, a Mohawk artist from Kahnawà:ke, to create one of the artworks featured as part of the team’s Indigenous Celebration Unity Game.
Wahsontahawi balances full-time work while raising her four children, all while continuing to nurture her passion for creating. Much of her work is inspired by family, community pride, and the desire to craft meaningful pieces for the people she loves. Through sewing, beadwork, leatherwork, basket-making, and moccasin making, she creates functional pieces that blend everyday practicality with personal and cultural expression. Her work reflects the care, creativity, and quiet strength carried by many Indigenous women who keep artistry and tradition alive within their homes and communities.
This handmade leather mitt, opens in a new tab features soft yellow leather paired with a deep burgundy fabric cuff embroidered with the Montréal Victoire crest. Carefully stitched and thoughtfully designed, the piece combines warmth, durability, and striking visual contrast. The embroidered crest celebrates women’s professional hockey while the handcrafted construction reflects the time, skill, and care Wahsontahawi brings to the pieces she creates for her family and community.
Proceeds from the auction will support the development of a new Arts and Cultural Building in Kahnawà:ke, a dedicated space for cultural programming, artistic expression, and community gathering.
Featured Artist: Graysen Moses (Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory)
The Montréal Victoire commissioned Graysen Moses, a Mohawk artist from Kahnawà:ke specializing in Haudenosaunee beadwork, to create a piece for this year’s Indigenous Celebration Unity Game.
Graysen’s work, opens in a new tab is deeply inspired by the natural world, often incorporating floral and greenery motifs that reflect the living beauty of the land. Beadwork has long been part of his family’s history, with knowledge and techniques passed down through generations. Carrying these teachings forward is both an honour and a responsibility that guides his practice. Through his work, Graysen continues to celebrate Onkwehón:we artistry while maintaining the traditions that connect past, present, and future.
This decorative wall ornament recreates the Montréal Victoire logo using flat beadwork crafted with size 15 beads and backed in deer hide. The piece blends traditional Haudenosaunee beadwork techniques with contemporary sport iconography, creating a unique work that celebrates both Indigenous artistry and the growing legacy of women’s professional hockey.
Proceeds from the auction, opens in a new tab will support the development of a new Arts and Cultural Building in Kahnawà:ke, creating a dedicated space for cultural programming, artistic expression, and community gathering.
Featured Artist: Robin Tekaiakenhtha Marquis (Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory)
The Montréal Victoire commissioned Robin Tekaiakenhtha Marquis, a Mohawk artist from Kahnawà:ke and member of the Bear Clan, to create an original painting for the team’s Indigenous Celebration Unity Game.
Robin is a passionate creator whose work spans fashion design, beadwork, moccasin making, and painting. A mother of three, her artistic practice reflects a deep connection to Haudenosaunee culture, family, and the natural world. Her work is grounded in teachings of gratitude and respect for the land and all living beings, values that continue to guide both her creativity and her cultural expression.
This original painting was created in celebration of the Montréal Victoire women’s hockey team, opens in a new tab. The artwork features a female hockey player surrounded by elements of nature and Haudenosaunee-inspired symbols and designs, reflecting the balance between strength, sport, and the natural world. A bear and wolf appear within the composition to symbolize strength, teamwork, inspiration, and support—values shared both within Haudenosaunee teachings and the spirit of hockey. The painting brings these elements together through the colours of the Montréal Victoire jersey, creating a vibrant tribute to women’s sport, community pride, and cultural storytelling.
Proceeds from the auction will support the development of a new Arts and Cultural Building in Kahnawà:ke, providing a dedicated space for cultural programming, artistic expression, and community gathering.
Featured Community Organizations
Kahnawake Minor Hockey
Kahnawake Minor Hockey is a community-based youth hockey organization that supports Indigenous youth participation in sport while fostering teamwork, pride, and cultural connection. Through hockey, the organization creates opportunities for young players to build confidence, community and leadership both on and off the ice.
The Native Friendship Centre of Montréal is an Indigenous-led community organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of Indigenous people living in the urban environment of Montréal. The Centre provides culturally grounded programs and services that support health and wellness, youth development, cultural connection, employment, and social support for Indigenous individuals and families. Through advocacy, community programming, and partnerships, the Native Friendship Centre of Montréal works to strengthen Indigenous identity, build community, and create welcoming spaces where Indigenous cultures, traditions, and voices are respected and celebrated.
