NationTalk: The Graphic Leader – RCMP stepped in after an ugly incident at a youth hockey game last week and Indigenous leaders are asking Hockey Manitoba to launch a full investigation.
RCMP were called to the Sagkeeng Arena Multiplex on the Sagkeeng First Nation on Nov. 10 around 9 p.m.
Police say they arrived after getting reports that a fight had broken out “between parents and some hockey players,” at a U18 youth hockey game between the Sagkeeng Hawks and the La Broquerie Habs, a game that would have involved youth hockey players between the ages of 15 and 17.
Police say they arrived and broke up the fight, but added no arrests were made because of the amount of people involved, and what they said was “differences in stories provided to officers.” Community Safety Officers remained on scene to keep the peace, RCMP added.
Police aren’t ruling out charges, as a RCMP spokesperson confirmed they are reviewing video of the incident to determine if any should be laid.
And while police say there were differing stories of what took place, The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is referring to the incident as “violent and racially-charged,” and calling on Hockey Manitoba to step in to investigate.
The AMC claimed that multiple witnesses at the game witnessed the use of “racial slurs” towards Indigenous people, and claimed that a 15-year-old from the community was injured as a result of the incident, although they did not specify the extent of any injuries.
They also said some of the spectators involved in the fight, who were not from the community, were drinking alcohol and appeared intoxicated in the arena, despite Sagkeeng having a strict alcohol ban in place, and believe that alcohol may have fueled some of the behaviour that led to the fight.
Along with an investigation, the AMC would also like to see Hockey Manitoba look into creating a code of conduct for visiting hockey teams, parents and spectators coming to hockey rinks in First Nations communities.
“It would hold visitors accountable to the rules of the Nation and provide disciplinary action should those rules be broken, as was experienced earlier this month,” the AMC said.
“The AMC expects that all future interactions across youth recreational sports on any First Nation territory contribute to building understanding, mutual respect, and shared enjoyment for the love of the game.”
A Hockey Manitoba spokesperson said they are aware of the incident and are “investigating,” but would provide no further comment.
— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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