Government of Canada Supports the 41st Little Native Hockey Tournament

Ref. #2-3637

Sudbury, Ontario (March 11, 2012) – Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, on behalf of the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, issued the following statement with regard to the 41st anniversary of the Little Native Hockey League (NHL) Tournament:

“On behalf of Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, I extend congratulations on what has truly become a proud Canadian tradition. The Little NHL has grown over the years into a major event enjoyed by people from all walks of life but none more than for these young players, many of whom travelled here to Sudbury from First Nation communities across Ontario.Also, I want to acknowledge the hard work of the coaches, organizers and hundreds of volunteers from Sudbury and surrounding communities whose tireless efforts make all of this possible. Your dedication, patience, and willingness to put in the time it takes to make this event a wonderful success is truly inspiring.

Thank you to all of the hockey fans. By being a part of this amazing weekend, you are encouraging healthy, active lifestyles within your communities – a goal we all support. We are a proud long-time supporter of the Little NHL, which has grown over the years from just 17 teams in 1971 to 118 today.

The tournament promotes citizenship, education, sportsmanship, and respect for others. It is here that these young people can start to develop leadership skills, build self-confidence, learn the value of teamwork and of course, make new friends.

Win or lose, enjoy your experience but first and foremost, have fun. So let’s drop the puck, it’s time to play hockey!”

For more information, please contact:

Minister’s Office
Jan O’Driscoll
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development Canada
819-953-1160