Siksika Nation opens new outdoor rink alongside Calgary Flames alumni
Posted Dec 7, 2021 7:32 pm.
Lacing up your skates, a winter pastime. Now with the help of the Calgary Flames and Calgary Hitmen, children on the Siksika Nation have their first outdoor rink.
“We all just love sports, it doesn’t matter which kind. But hockey is our favourite.”
Oki Siksikawa! Today the new Calgary Flames Outdoor Rink (ODR) on Siksika Nation was officially unveiled! It was great to be surrounded by our friends from @WHLHitmen @FlamesFdn and even Harvey the Hound for the announcement. Read more here https://t.co/LI2OpPhZLW pic.twitter.com/NLj5QeKnPG
— Siksika Nation (@Siksika_Nation) December 8, 2021
The Calgary Flames outdoor rink is the first of its kind in Siksika Nation. With six schools in the area and a population of 4,000 people, the rink is a welcome addition to the community.
Chief Ouray Crowfoot says the rink represents a sense of pride for Siksika Nation.
“At the end of the day it’s not just a rink,” he said. “It’s those kinds of things that we can build upon to build that self-esteem, to build that self-worth, to turn that tide, to make our people proud of who they are.”
The Calgary Flames Foundation has invested over $2 million in sport inclusion initiatives, but the chairman of the foundation says there is still more work to be done.
“We as an organization have a lot more to learn, but we absolutely want to become better friends, better partners,” said Jeff McCaig.
One thing is for sure, the new rink means more time on the ice and winter activities for Siksika youth.
“There’s going to be more opportunity, there are more places for us to skate. As the younger generation grows, I think we need to grow with it.”
