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BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS | SEASON 2 EPISODE 1: THE LITTLE NATIVE HOCKEY LEAGUE

The sport of hockey is under intense scrutiny. It has become clear that “Hockey Culture” is in need of a sweeping overhaul. Calls for meaningful change in all realms of the sport have been heard around the country-from sponsors, hockey parents, and most importantly from the players themselves. Changing deep-seated beliefs, attitudes and behaviours will not be easy but the time is NOW to begin the rebuilding process. The time is NOW to help make ‘Canada’s Game’ truly a game for all Canadians.

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Director: Karen Zylak, Executive Producer: Mark Kristofic, Director of Photography: Alex Browne, Cinematographer: Mitch Bowmile  ​

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Screengrabs of footage by Mitch Bowmile

The Little NHL is the largest annual ice hockey tournament for First Nation youth in the world. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the event, a testament to its enduring impact on first nation communities. 

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This past winter I had the privilege to shoot for BDB and once again be a visitor in Mushkegowuk Cree territory, visiting the Cree community of Moose Factory, ON to document the team’s journey to the 50th Little Native Hockey League tournament in Markham, Ontario. It took two-days of travel by train, bus and car to reach southern Ontario, a reality that people in Moose Factory know all too well living in an isolated, northern community.

Through my five visits to Moose Factory over the years I've heard about the LNHL and how it rivals Goose Break as one of the most exciting times of the year for families in the community. It was an honour to meet more members of the community (especially youth), both during my time in Moose Factory, and over the course of our travels south. 

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A huge thank you is owed to the community of Moose Factory for sharing their stories and bringing us along to document the journey and tournament. ​

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And of course, without my good friend and host Stan Louttit, hardly any of this would have been possible.

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Chi Meegwetch, Stan, Chi Meegwetch Moose Factory. ​

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