BC Sports Hall of Fame – Vancouver, B.C. – On September 25th, the BC Sports Hall of Fame will unveil an exhibit celebrating and recognizing Indigenous athletes who have made an impact on British Columbia’s sport history.

The Indigenous Sport Gallery celebrates the rich history and many contributions to sport by First Nations and Métis athletes, teams, coaches, builders and volunteers in BC, and attempts to remedy the fact that Indigenous athletes and teams have not been properly celebrated and honoured over the course of our province’s history.

The Indigenous Sport Gallery will feature over 1,000 square feet of permanent exhibit space, including: information about traditional Indigenous games; artefacts and memorabilia from Indigenous athletes in all levels of sport; a feature on the North American Indigenous Games; and a dedicated space, the Circle of Champions, which honours the Indigenous athletes that have been formally Inducted to the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

Jim Lightbody, Chair of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, says: “Sport in our Indigenous communities has forever been intertwined. The new Indigenous Sport Gallery at the BC Sports Hall of Fame is another step towards celebrating the Indigenous athletes, coaches and builders who have made positive impacts on sport in BC and will educate future generations of these important accomplishments – both in our province and on the world stage.”

Released after a five-year cross-Canada consultation process, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) issued 94 Calls to Action in order to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.” Call to Action #87, calls upon all levels of government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, sports halls of fame, and other relevant organizations, to provide public education that tells the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history. Together with its partners, the BC Sports Hall of Fame advances this Call through the new Indigenous Sport Gallery.

Lara Mussell Savage, Director of Sport for the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) and a Trustee of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, says: “The Indigenous communities of BC have had a massive impact on sport in our province, and it is great to see the BC Sports Hall of Fame and its partner organizations recognize this through the creation of a new Indigenous Sport Gallery. We hope the Gallery will inspire the next generation of Indigenous athletes and teach all British Columbians about the incredible stories of Indigenous athletes and leaders.”

Event: Indigenous Sport Gallery Exhibit Opening
By Invitation Opening: September 25, 2018 11:00am-1:00pm
Public Opening Date: September 26, 2018
Times: Open 10:00AM – 5:00 PM daily
Location: BC Sports Hall of Fame, Gate A at BC Place

For more information about the BC Sports Hall of Fame, please visit:
www.bcsportshalloffame.com/.
About the BC Sports Hall of Fame
Go there. Experience. Be proud. Be inspired.
Located at Gate “A” of BC Place with inspiring exhibits, the BC Sports Hall of Fame is the ‘go to’ organization for BC sport heritage. For over 50 years, we have honoured BC’s teams, builders, athletes, pioneers, and media through the annual Induction Gala.

The collection at the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum includes over 25,000 artifacts and 20,000 archival documents representing 100 years of sporting accomplishments in British Columbia. In everything it does, the BC Sports Hall of Fame honours, educates, and inspires through the Hero In You Youth Education Programs.

For more information please visit: www.bcsportshalloffame.com follow us on twitter
@bcsportshall and like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/bcsportshall/
-30-
Media Contact
Steph Troughton
LBMG
778 989-1469 (cell)
stroughton@lbmg.ca