AUNDECK OMNI KANING—Patrick Madahbee has been returned as interim president of the hockey tournament that is quite possibly the largest event held for First Nation youth in North America.
“I have served as president of the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) previously, and have been involved in LNHL since it started,” Mr. Madahbee told The Expositor last week. “Close to 4,000 athletes normally play in the tournament.”
Mr. Madahbee, a member of the Aundeck Omni Kaning (AOK) First Nation who is the Anishinabek Nation Chief Commissioner on Governance and former Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief, explained he was approached by the LNHL executive two weeks ago about taking on the LNHL president role, with Marian Jacko having been recently appointed to the Hockey Canada board of directors. “Marian has had to take a one year absence as president of the LNHL.”
Ms. Jacko, a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory served as the LNHL president since December 2018, but was required to step down from this position since she was named to Hockey Canada’s interim board of directors in December.
With the LNHL, Mr. Madahbee’s responsibilities have included serving as a member of the tournament’s executive, past president, and over the last several years as a political advisor for the event. He also worked as a referee for the LNHL during its inaugural year in 1971 in the old Little Current arena, having been two months too old at the time to play in the tournament itself.
“I will be taking on the role of (LNHL) president until November,” said Mr. Madahbee. As well, “I have been selected as the chair for the LNHL 50th anniversary planning committee next year.”
“But for now we are getting ready for the 49th annual tournament,” continued Mr. Madahbee. He explained “we will have 190 teams participating. In the first year of the tournament, which was held in Little Current, we had 17 teams and the event was held during the Christmas break.”
“Since that first tournament, we have outgrown the smaller venues,” said Mr. Madahbee. “We need to have 20 ice surfaces being used simultaneously to get all the games in for the tournament.” He pointed out that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 239 teams taking part with 519 games being played over four days.
“Nipissing First Nation is hosting the tournament this year. They have hosted in the past and have always been an excellent host,” said Mr. Madahbee.
In looking ahead at the 50th anniversary of the LNHL, Mr. Madahbee explained, “we are going to acknowledge the three First Nations who hosted the first tournament, Whitefish River First Nation, Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation and M’Chigeeng First Nation.”
“We will also be honouring our water and our women water keepers during the 50th anniversary,” said Mr. Madahbee. “I am really looking forward to that.” He said the LNHL executive will also be talking to National Hockey League representatives in discussing how important this tournament is and to discuss making a concerted effort to promote female hockey players. At the LNHL, our female division has been growing for awhile and Hayley Wickenheiser has been very helpful in boosting this profile. Maybe some of the female players in our tournament will continue and one day play in the Olympic Games.”
This year’s LNHL tournament, the first that has been held since 2019, is scheduled for March 12-16 with the Nipissing First Nation as host. The tournament will be played in Mississauga.
