Aamjiwnaang First Nation gears up for 2019 Little NHL tournament
By Colin Graf
AAMJIWNAANG FIRST NATION—Hosting a hockey tournament can be a big job, but when you’re hosting the Little Native Hockey League (NHL), “big” becomes almost gigantic.
Just ask Jamie Maness, who’s leaving much of his regular work as community services coordinator for much of the next year to concentrate on creating the Little NHL tournament’s opening ceremony, along with organizing referees, volunteers, and vendors for the event that can draw close to 10,000 people. While that job is big enough, it’s complicated by the fact the actual location of the tournament, which is in Mississsauga, Ont., is close to 3 hours away from Aamjiwnaang.
Hosting the LNHL involves almost everything that takes place off the ice, except for accommodations, says Maness in a recent interview in his office at the local community centre. For this day, the tournament’s Eagle Staff is attracting attention from a lot of people passing through Aamjiwnaang’s community centre. Some want their picture taken with the staff.
With over 204 teams using 12 full ice pads last year, Aamjiwnaang and the neighbouring city of Sarnia do not have the capacity to host locally; however, Aamjiwnaang considers it an honour to organize the 48th annual LNHL tournament. With teams from across Ontario, he says Mississauga is “the ideal spot”, being centrally located and large enough to accommodate the tournament.
In spite of all of the logistical problems ahead of him, Maness says the greatest challenges are the financial ones.
“Sponsorships are the biggest thing” right now. There are “a lot of costs” connected with the tournament, and many of them are not covered by the organizing committee. He asks us just to imagine the cost of the medals for 4,500 players alone. “They’re pricey.”
He’s in the process of seeking sponsorships from major Canadian corporations, having already secured some verbal commitments, as well as planning fundraising events. Five different levels of sponsorship are open to donors, he explains.
One fundraising event scheduled by the LNHL committee will be the first LNHL Alumni Golf Classic being held at the Rainbow Ridge Golf Club in Manitowaning, Ont. on Sept. 15. A networking session and silent auction will be held the evening before, featuring guest speaker Reggie Leach, First Nations’ NHL pioneer and Stanley Cup winner. Maness says that event is not contributing to his efforts in hosting, though.
As with most tournaments, volunteers are the key to a smooth operation, Maness knows. He needs close to 80, and hopes to recruit many from within Aamjiwnaang. Yet there are a “seasoned” group who come every year from all over, and the coordinator knows that group with experience will also be key. Other First Nations in southwestern Ontario have offered to provide helpers as well, he adds. Volunteers may not be paid, but the cost of their accommodations during the tournament is covered.
The LNHL tournament has six different divisions for boys and girls, Tyke, Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, and Midget, with children and teens from as young as 5 up to 16 or 17, according to Maness. Girls and boys play together up to the Atom level.
The opening ceremony is being planned as well.
“What we need is some kind of initiative where we really get everybody excited about the tournament,” he explains. “We have a couple of things up our sleeve, but we’re still planning.”
His biggest thrill in the project so far is the excitement among everybody from First Nation players, coaches, committee members, even to corporate Canada.
“It’s been a thrill to see how everybody’s into it,” he says.
While Aamjiwnaang hosted the LNHL tournament in collaboration with one or more other First Nations about 10 years ago, Maness believes this is the first time the community has taken up the challenge on its own.
He says Aamjiwnaang’s Chief & Council are fully behind hosting the tournament.
“They will definitely be a major sponsor. Finances are one thing but we really want to put on a good event. Their priority is to have a really good tournament.”
The Little NHL tournament is scheduled for March 2019.