New digital book aims to educate Canadians about Indigenous sport heroes

A digital book exploring the rich history and contributions of Indigenous athletes is now available online.

Canada'sSports Hall of Fame launched theIndigenous Sport Heroes Education ExperienceMonday with a virtual event.

Bob Rooney, board chair ofCanada'sSports Hall of Fame, said the organization was honoured to present "the rich sporting history of Indigenous Hall of Famers in hopes of prompting conversations about equity and inclusion through the lens of sport."

"The Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Experience aims to educate and inspire youth across Canada, sparking conversation in classrooms and at kitchen tables across this country," he said during the virtual event.

The digital book is a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #87, which called upon governments andorganizations toprovide public education tellingthestory of Indigenousathletes in history.

The digital book featuresIndigenous athleteslike Paralympian Colette Bourgonje, cross-country skiers Sharon Anne and Shirley Firth, andWaneek Horn-Miller, who was part of Canada's water polo team that won gold atthe 1999 Pan Am Games.

"It's really important we share our stories with these young people and also elders and people across the country and to know that they can have a glimmer of hope in themselves," said Sharon Anne Firth during the virtual event.

Firth and her twin sister Shirley were members of Canada's national cross-country ski team for nearly two decades and competed at four Olympics.

Part of the book is dedicated to athletes who have won a Tom Longboat Award. The awards were established in 1951 torecognize Indigenousathletes foroutstanding contributions to sport in Canada.

Lyric Atchison,a member of the Squamish Nation anda2019 recipient of the Tom Longboat Award,said she hopes this resource will inspire other Indigenous youth to get involved in sports and create their own legacies.

"We have faced so much adversity and struggle in a climate which constantly serves to tear down, and the amazing people featured in this exhibit have risen above it and inspired people everywhere, demonstrating that despite repeated attempts to erase Indigenous Peoples and culture, we are still here and we are a force to be reckoned with," said Atchisonduring the virtual event.

The book will have additional education resources designed for K-12 students and will be available to educators across Canada at no cost.