Eskasoni to host second annual Bury the Hatchet Hockey Classic today

The second annual Bury the Hatchet Hockey Classic will take place today at the Dan K. Stevens Memorial Arena in Eskasoni.

“Bury the hatchet” began as a celebration of Mi’kmaq contributions to the game of hockey during the provincial Heritage Day celebration in 2017.

The inaugural game brought a Nova Scotia chief and council team to play against provincial and federal government counterparts in an exhibition game based on reconciliation.

The event will be hosted by Treaty Education Nova Scotia in collaboration with Mi’kmaw Kina’ matnewey and the province.

“It’s important for all Nova Scotians to celebrate diversity in hockey and the Mi’kmaq contribution to the great game that it is today,” said Jamie Battiste, leader of Treaty Education Nova Scotia.

Eskasoni was chosen to host the game this year after making history by being awarded a Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League franchise earlier this year.

The event will be part of a full evening of hockey, where the Bury the Hatchet game will be featured before the Eskasoni Junior Eagles’ game against the Pictou County Scotians at 7 p.m.

“We are pleased to host a hockey game that focuses on reconciliation and awareness of the proud history of the Mi’kmaq and the game of hockey,” said Eskasoni First Nation Chief Leroy Denny.

“Eskasoni is very proud to be the first junior ‘B’ franchise awarded to a First Nations community in Atlantic Canada.”

This year’s theme for the game, besides focusing on Mi’kmaq contributions to hockey, will be promoting diversity in hockey and building off Millbrook First Nation Chief Bob Gloade’s message “Racism in hockey — it’s not OK.”

The Bury the Hatchet game will begin at 5 p.m. There will be no entrance fee for the game.

Tara Sloan, Juno nominated singer and co-host of Rogers Hometown Hockey, will also be on hand for the event as well.