Take a look back at the CBC Indigenous highlights of 2018

As we head into the new year, CBC Indigenous invites our audience to take a look back at some of the stories from the past year that inspired us.

We look forward to hearing and sharing more of your stories in 2019.

Hockey Hall of Fame honours Sagkeeng Oldtimers

Last January, the Sagkeeng Oldtimers Hockey team was honoured by the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto intwo new displays.

Members of the team, made up mostly of residential school survivors from the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, made the trip to see their memorabilia displayed for the thousands of visitors who pass throughthe Hockey Hall of Fame annually.

The teamtravelled around the worldcompeting and won world cup titles in 1987 and 1989.

"The exposure that will come from being in the Hockey Hall of Fame is so important to Canada and to the rest of the world, especially for reconciliation," said Grand Chief Willie Littlechildof the Treaty 6 Nations.

The team's display at the Hockey Hall of Fame is a nod to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 87th call to action, which calls for sports halls of fame to provide public education on the stories of Indigenous athletes.

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Alberta man offers to share his land with a First Nations family

In February, an Alberta man offered an open invitation on Facebook for a First Nations family to sharehis five-acre property.

JoelHolmbergmade the offer in the days following Saskatchewan rancherGerald Stanley's acquittal in the shooting deathof Colten Boushie. He was disturbed by the racist comments about First Nations that appeared online during and following the trial.

"There's a lot of falsehoods about Indigenous people," he said.

"[Other]people don't understand their good character and nature. There's a lot of ignorance and racism to overcome, especially in the Prairies."

Holmberggrew up in the Kootenaysregion of B.C. where he said he developed close relationships with local First Nations elders and learnedabout First Nations culture and history that isn't taught in schools.

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Undefeated team credits cultural activities

ThePiysew Awasis Thunder senior boys volleyball team from Thunderchild First Nation, about 250 km northwest of Saskatoon,won the Saskatchewan provincial 1A championships in November, finishingtheirseason with a53-0 record.

While most teams begin the year with warm-ups, drills and exercises, theirseason began with aCree cultural camp. Their aim is balancing sports and culture.

Their coach says instilling traditional life skills in his players is something that not only grounds them, but helps thembecome positive role models for others and keeps them away from negative aspects of teenage life.

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Powwow dancer thanks stranger who returned lost regalia

In August Todd Papequash, a Cree powwow dancer from Saskatchewan, lost his regalia on ahighway in Manitoba whenthe bin he was using to transport it felloff the back of his pick-up truck.

Luckily,Blaine Batemanof Portage La Prairie spotted the bin on the highway. When he found it contained ceremonial gear,he took it to the Long Plains First Nation office. They told him about the powwow happening nearby and Batemandrove out to the site to drop the regalia off with security.

A few weeks later,Papequashtracked downBatemanand gave him a framed painting to say thank you.

"I wanted to come back and meet [him] face to face, shake his handand give him something of my appreciation for what he did,"Todd Papequashsaid.

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Last WWII Mohawk code talker honoured

Louis Levi Oakes, 96, the last surviving Mohawk code talker, was honoured by the Assembly of First Nations and the House of Commons in December.

The Akwesasneman was just 18 when he enlisted in the United States Army where he served for six years as a code talker in the South Pacific, New Guinea, and the Philippines.

Oakes received an honourable discharge in 1946 and was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the third highest military decoration.

AFN National Chief Perry Bellegardegave Oakes a star blanket during the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly.

Oakes said "Niawen'k:wa ki'whi," which means "Great thanks, indeed"inKanien'kha(Mohawk language).

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