BC Sports Hall of Fame Indigenous Sport Gallery
byOne of the coolest permanent exhibitions in Vancouver has just launched an exciting, and very important, new gallery!
The BC Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Indigenous Sport Gallery, celebrating and recognizing Indigenous athletes who have made an impact on British Columbia’s sport history. The Gallery features over 1,000 square feet of permanent exhibit space, and highlights the impact of athletes like Gino Odjick, Carey Price, Richard Peter, Justina Di Stasio, and others.
BC Sports Hall of Fame Indigenous Sport Gallery
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.
Visitors can read information about traditional Indigenous games; view artefacts and memorabilia from Indigenous athletes in all levels of sport; see a feature on the North American Indigenous Games; and visit a dedicated space, the Circle of Champions, which honours the Indigenous athletes that have been formally Inducted to the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
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.”
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.
The BC Sports Hall of Fame is open daily at Gate A of BC Place, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Follow along on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more info.
