MARKHAM, ON, March 8, 2024 /CNW/ – Native Tourism Ontario (ITO) returns for a second year to the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL), supporting its 50th anniversary tournaments, which are being held this year in arenas across Town of Markham.
ITO provides an array of exciting activities for athletes and their families that are both fun and educational. By combining hands-on activities with storytelling and conversation, these sessions will not only teach children how to prepare food or improve their softball field, but also show them what some of the many types of careers in the tourism industry look like by focusing on three main areas: experience, sports and culinary.
“On behalf of the ITO, we are honored to support all pillars of the LNHL, but especially Education, by giving all tournament participants the opportunity to enjoy tourism in a way that will instill new skills, confidence and pride in all involved. We are privileged to have you help and support this vital event and their outstanding team of dedicated volunteers. We want to salute the founding First Nations of Aundeck Omni Kaning, M’Chigeeng, Whitefish River, and all the past and present participating communities, families and players who have helped the Little NHL tradition grow and thrive since 1971.”
– Kevin EshkavkoganPresident and CEO, Indigenous Tourism Ontario.
“Congratulations to the LNHL for celebrating 50 years of providing positive, formative hockey experiences for Indigenous youth from communities OntarioNeal said Lumsden, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. “This year’s LNHL Hall of Fame inductees show the significant and meaningful contribution that local communities make to cultural and economic landscape in our province and set an example for the participants of the tournament which will encourage their pursuit of excellence – on and off the ice.“
-Minister Neil LumsdenMinister of Tourism, Culture and Sports
Registration is now open for all ITO programming in the LNHL and can be found gathered here on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ito-all-stars-cup-events-at-the-2024-lnhl-3153919
Each activation is led by an expert in the field: Neil Debassige, host of Fuel the Fire, returns to teach archery accompanied by an immersive VR experience; NHL Alumni, Jason Simon joins to Callie Armstrong to take your hockey skills to the next level; Kevin Sandy, Director of Haudenosaunee Lacrosse will be there to walk you through the basics of Lacrosse and learn about its origins as a traditional First Nations game; Canada Softball Team Alumni, Kerry-Lee Wise, will help you improve your baseball skills and teach you about proper health for your mind, body and spirit; Restaurateur and educator, cook Joseph Shawanaand a cook Tony Brandtowner of Yawekon Foods in Six Nations and Top Chef Canada contestant, will present culinary workshops where participants can cook alongside them to create their own culinary masterpieces!
On Tuesday evening, be sure to watch the second annual Skode Live Session at ITO, which will bring the 2024 Skode finalists together to pitch their local tourism ideas to a panel of judges to compete for 20,000 dollars Big prize! Skode is a collaboration between Indigenous Tourism Ontario and the Tourism Innovation Lab and provides financial support and mentoring to Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs.
ITO also gives back “All Star Cup” a daily draw that allows participants to collect a “stamp” for each activity in which they participate. Each stamp equals a ballot in the daily drawing, with prizes that include autographed NHL jerseys, team t-shirts, gear and even virtual reality headsets!
You can catch a glimpse of these activations during the opening day festival at the Markham Civic Center from 12pm – 7.30pm on Sundays March 10, 2024, where you’ll find chefs Joseph Shawana and Tony Brandt giving away free samples of their dishes; Lacrosse with Kevin Sandy; and archery Neil Debassige. Members of the ITO team will be on hand to assist with the public register for the sessions which take place Monday to Wednesday at the Angus Glen Community Center and Centennial Community Centre. Be sure to stay for a spectacular drone show that tells the story of the Little Native Hockey League writ large in the night sky.
For that
Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) is the province’s first and only recognized Indigenous tourism organization focused on bringing together communities, local organizations and industry leaders to support the growth of Indigenous tourism in Ontario. By developing products and marketing authentic local experiences, ITO creates a platform for local cultural expression and conservation through tourism.
About LNHL
Little NHL was founded in 1971 by Reverend Len Self, Earl of Abbotsawayformer ch Jim DeBasage, Norman Debassige and former ch Jim McGregor. The LNHL brings together First Nations youth and their families from around the world Ontario every March break for a four-day hockey tournament, the largest gathering of its kind for Indigenous people. The four founding pillars of the LNHL are sportsmanship, respect, citizenship and education.
About TIL
The Tourism Innovation Lab is a non-profit initiative created to find, encourage and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships, and to build a community of tourism innovators and entrepreneurs Canada. Launched in 2018, the lab and its Spark mentorship and grants program have expanded to over 25 regions Ontario and British Columbia. The Lab is a Hackforge program.
Social media
Local Tourism Ontario
Facebook: @IndigenousTourismOntario
Instagram: @IndigenousTourismOntario
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/indigenous-tourism-ontario
Little hometown hockey league
Facebook: @LittleNativeHockeyLeague
Instagram: @little_nhl
Tourism Innovation Laboratory
Facebook: @TourismInnovationCanada
Twitter: @TourInnovation
Instagram: @TourismInnovationCanada
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tourisminnovationlab
SOURCE Local Tourism Ontario
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