Record-breaking Little NHL tournament features 271 participating teams

By Sam Laskaris

UNIONVILLE – Marian Jacko is thrilled that she is presiding over yet another record-breaking Little Native Hockey League tournament.

But Jacko, who is the president of the tournament, often simply called the Little NHL, believes plenty of work still needs to be done to improve life for First Nations people, especially women.

The 52nd annual Little NHL kicked off on March 15. A record-breaking 271 First Nations youth clubs from across the province are participating in the event, which is primarily being staged in Markham.

Rinks in nearby communities are also being utilized for the tournament, which continues until Thursday.

At a kick-off ceremony in Unionville on Sunday, Jacko said she was “absolutely pleased” the tournament has reached a new high in the number of participating clubs, surpassing last year’s record of 270 squads.

“This tournament is just growing and it’s the best thing, I think, for our First Nation kids,” she said.

Jacko is not sure just how much bigger the tournament can grow.

“I think we’ve probably hit a little bit of a plateau right now,” she said. “But even one extra team a year is good enough, as long as the kids keep playing.”

Jacko is also thrilled that another record has been broken at this year’s event. A total of 55 girls’ teams are taking part, surpassing the previous high of 48 clubs a year ago.

“It really aligns with our theme this year, which is empowering women and girls,” Jacko said.

Jacko has long been an advocate of changing the narrative for Indigenous girls. In her day job, she is the assistant deputy attorney general for the Indigenous Justice Division with the Ministry of Attorney General.

“In that job, I see all kinds of reports, and see how we are over-represented in the criminal justice system,” she said. “We’re over-incarcerated. And the other thing I see is the statistics and the reports, the national inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, tell us that we’re 12 times more likely to go missing or to be murdered, simply because we’re born First Nation. And it’s time to change the narrative. I think that we can do that through the sport of ice hockey.”

Jacko would prefer if she were actually able to talk about other stats.

“It’s about changing the narrative for our First Nations’ little sisters,” she said. “I want them to grow up and I want them to be able to say, ‘I’m 12 times more likely to be successful. I’m 12 times more likely to be successful in my chosen career, in whatever I decide to do.’ I want them to say, ‘I’m 12 times more likely to play in the (Professional Women’s Hockey League).’”

Jacko also praised Chico Ralf, the long-time vice-president of the Little NHL executive. Ralf is credited with launching girls’ divisions in the tournament back in 1999.

“Without Chico’s perseverance, dedication, and vision, we wouldn’t have a girls’ division,” Jacko said.

The Little NHL was first held in 1971 in Little Current. Just 17 squads took part in that inaugural event.

The event has grown and is now the largest First Nations youth hockey tournament in Ontario.

The tournament has been held annually since its inception, except for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was deemed unsafe to stage a large gathering.

Even though the 2026 event is being held at various Greater Toronto Area rinks, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory is the host First Nation this year.