The Chippewa Tri-Council named hosts for Little NHL 2025!
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The Chippewa Tri-Council (CTC) is excited to announce that
we have been confirmed as host communities for the 51st Annual Little NHL
tournament in March 2025. An official signing ceremony was held at noon on
Saturday, August 24th, at the John Snake Memorial Multi Purpose Grounds prior
to the commencement of the Rama Powwow.
Leadership from the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Beausoleil and Rama First
Nations, the Little NHL Executive and delegates from the city of Markham attended
the ceremony.
It is a great honour to keep up the tradition of the tournament, an event that
is the highlight of the year for many of our young people. It brings together
so many of our families, united by our children and love of sport.
Chico Ralf, Little NHL President, said, "I look forward to another amazing
tournament that brings our First Nation Teams, players, elders, parents, family
and friends from all four directions in Ontario. Whether you are a player,
family member or friend, we are all one LNHL family."
The first tournament had 17 teams and a modest 200 players in Little Current.
In 2024, the tournament welcomed over 4,000 players, on 246 teams from U7 to
U18 in 550 games. The event will be held in Markham, a city that has the
capacity to accommodate these numbers, both on the ice and in accommodations.
Many First Nation communities have hosted the tournament over the 51-year
history. These include Aundeck Omni Kaning, Curve Lake, Dokis, Fort William,
Garden River, M'Chigeeng, Nipissing, Sagamok, Saugeen, Six Nations, Walpole
Island, Wausauksing, Wikwemikong, Whitefish Lake and Whitefish River. The CTC
is proud to carry on the legacy of this tournament.
Little Native Hockey League (Little NHL) tournament was started by five very
special people who wanted to start a tournament for our First Nation Youth.
Their collective dreams became a reality when they held their first tournament
during the Christmas break in 1971.
We look forward to bringing a uniquely CTC imprint to this marquis event.