Indigenous Heritage Celebrations | Toronto Sceptres | PWHL

We are proud to celebrate Indigenous Heritage with activations across our Canadian teams, including the unveiling of special Unity Game artwork created by Indigenous artist Alanah Astehtsi̲' Otsistóhkwaˀ (Morningstar) Jewell, a Bear Clan member from Oneida Nation of the Thames.

The Toronto Sceptres will host their Indigenous Heritage Unity Game on March 19. The celebrations will highlight community leaders, welcome First Nations youth hockey teams, and incorporate elements unique to Indigenous cultures.

Ceremonial Puck Drop

Esteemed Indigenous leader Marian Jacko & Wilton Littlechild will take part in the ceremonial puck drop, recognizing the vital role of Indigenous leadership, advocacy, and sport.

Marian Jacko
Marian Jacko is a proud member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and a trailblazing leader in Indigenous law, child advocacy, and sport. As the Assistant Deputy Attorney General for Indigenous Justice in Ontario and the first Indigenous person to serve as Children’s Lawyer for Ontario, she has dedicated her career to advancing the rights and well-being of Indigenous youth and families. In addition to her legal work, Marian is deeply connected to hockey, having coached at an elite level and continuing to champion Indigenous representation and opportunities within the sport.
Wilton Littlechild
Wilton Littlechild (Chief Littlechild) is a proud member of the Ermineskin Cree Nation, is a world-renowned lawyer and advocate for Indigenous rights who worked with the United Nations, and as a residential school survivor, led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. He was also the first Treaty First Nation person to become a Member of Parliament, and held position as the Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations. A member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and a two-time Tom Longboat Award winner, Chief Littlechild played multiple sports and managed teams while attending the University of Alberta, as well as founding and coaching the first all-Indigenous junior hockey team in Alberta. He also helped to create the North American Indigenous Games and the World Indigenous Nations Games.

In-Game Activations

Land Acknowledgement: Knowledge Keeper Ava Hill
Ava Hill (Iohahatie), a Mohawk from the Wolf Clan, is a respected Knowledge Keeper with a distinguished career in Indigenous leadership. She served as Elected Chief and Councillor for Six Nations and has extensive experience in Indigenous organizations. Ava represented Six Nations at the 2015 Pan Am Games Aboriginal Leadership Partnership and has contributed to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. She has held pivotal roles, including on the Ontario Provincial Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction, the University of Waterloo Board of Governors, and numerous advisory councils. Ava co-chairs a working group focused on sports and reconciliation and serves on the Canadian Advisory Board for Right to Play. Throughout her career, she has been honored with multiple accolades, including the YMCA Peacemaker Medal and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Brock University.
Anthem Singer: Florence Osawamick
Florence Osawamick hails from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. Born in Peterborough and now residing in Hastings, she has devoted her life to embracing Anishinaabe culture through song, dance, and ceremony. A dedicated student at Trent University, Florence continues to pursue her academic goals while maintaining a deep connection to her community and heritage. She is honored to hold the title of Miss Wiikwemkoong 2024/2025 and serves as the Anishinaabemowin Teg Youth Representative, proudly carrying forward her language and traditions for future generations.
Kawartha Lakes Jingle Dress Dance Performance
During the first intermission, the vibrant traditions of the Kawartha Lakes region will be brought to life through a captivating Jingle Dress Dance performance. This culturally significant dance, rooted in Anishinaabe traditions, features dancers adorned in jingle dresses that create a melodic sound with each graceful movement. The performance honors the healing and strength of Indigenous communities, showcasing the power of ceremony, rhythm, and storytelling. Through this beautiful display of cultural expression, the dancers invite all to reflect on the deep connection between Indigenous traditions and the ongoing journey of resilience and unity.

Featured Community Organization

Six Nations Hockey
A community-based hockey program representing the Six Nations of the Grand River, the largest First Nations reserve in Canada. The program is rooted in the rich Indigenous culture of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which includes the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations. Six Nations Hockey fosters both recreational and competitive opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels, aiming to provide a platform for Indigenous youth to participate in the sport, develop their skills, and promote teamwork and community. The program emphasizes the importance of Indigenous culture and values within the sport, providing players with a sense of pride and connection to their heritage. It also plays a key role in creating positive social opportunities, helping to build stronger relationships within the Indigenous communities of Six Nations and beyond. Through Six Nations Hockey, young athletes are encouraged to balance traditional teachings with modern sportsmanship, strengthening their sense of identity while competing at a high level of play.
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Shop the Artwork

Shop the limited edition PWHL Indigenous Heritage Celebration commemorative poster exclusively in-venue at the Indigenous Celebration Unity Game at Coca-Cola Coliseum. We are proud to make a contribution to Aboriginal Sport Circle, an organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous athletes and increasing access to hockey and other sports within Indigenous communities.