Anderson Storr loves hockey.
Having only discovered the sport two years ago, the eight-year-old from Aklavik now basically lives on skates. So when his favourite hockey team, the Edmonton Oilers, were eliminated from the playoffs in four-straight, he was understandably disappointed.
But that was taken to a whole other level when he heard about racist attacks against a Ethan Bear, who is Cree.
SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e bullying him,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 really sad.SA国际影视传媒�
He added he SA国际影视传媒渨ouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 want to deal with that as a player.SA国际影视传媒�
So Storr, who is both GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n and Inuvialuit, decided to show his support for Bear and put together a SA国际影视传媒楾eam BearSA国际影视传媒� poster, now on display in front of his family home.
His gesture is one of many in a Beaufort Delta-wide outpouring of support for Bear.
Joining Storr in their support for the Edmonton Oiler and participating in the first-ever Indigenous Athletes Jersey Day on May 28, staff and beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation donned jerseys to show solidarity.
SA国际影视传媒淚nuvialuit Regional Corporation is anti-racism,SA国际影视传媒� said IRC Chair Duane Ningaqsiq Smith. SA国际影视传媒淚RC recognizes the detrimental and lingering effects that acts of racism, bias and oppression have on people and strongly condemns any such behaviours.
SA国际影视传媒淩acism is not always so obvious, it can be entrenched in colonialistic policies within governments and other institutions. These need to be drawn out and addressed.
SA国际影视传媒淚RC is proud of Indigenous success. We fully support this cause, not only for athletes but for everyone who has to overcome ongoing racism throughout life and within our careers and communities.
SA国际影视传媒淩acism needs to be acknowledged and the societal conditions need to be corrected to be made safe for Indigenous people and especially for youth.SA国际影视传媒�
The idea for Inidgenous Athletes Jersey Day came from a B.C. teacher, Naim Cardinal.
Also showing solidarity with Bear on behalf of the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Tribal Council, GTC Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik issued a statement in support.
SA国际影视传媒淭he sad part of being Indigenous or a person of colour in North America is we face racism, discrimination and bigotry from time to time,SA国际影视传媒� he wrote. SA国际影视传媒淚t doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 matter if you are a professional or a general labourer. It happens at all levels and is often done in silence or brushed under the carpet by thoughts or statements that SA国际影视传媒榠t isnSA国际影视传媒檛 a big dealSA国际影视传媒�.
SA国际影视传媒淚t can be overt statements/comments or simply inaction. The best thing we can do is stand by and support those who have experienced this treatment and show that these attitudes and behaviour is unacceptable. I am a proud Oilers fan and an even larger fan of Ethan Bear. By his being out there on the ice, we stand a little taller and exhibit more pride in who we are as Indigenous people.SA国际影视传媒�
As for Storr, heSA国际影视传媒檚 not going to let a few internet trolls stop him from playing the game he loves.
Understanding the spirit of the game far more than many, Storr even notes heSA国际影视传媒檚 not holding hard feelings over the Oilers getting knocked out and is hoping the Winnipeg Jets can bring Stanley home in 2021.
He had a parting message for Bear as the playoffs raged on, however.
SA国际影视传媒淚 made a sign for you about bullying,SA国际影视传媒� said Storr. SA国际影视传媒淵ou are cool.SA国际影视传媒�
