Assembly of First Nations Commends Fundraising Efforts Promoting Sport and Opportunities for First Nations Youth
November 6, 2012
(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today commended the efforts of former National Hockey League player and coach John Chabot’s First Assist Charity in supporting and promoting sport and other opportunities for First Nations young people.
“In the best way possible, through community gatherings and the celebration of sport, John Chabot is helping support and raise awareness of some of the important programs that benefit First Nations youth,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. “This is much more than just about the hockey games. Gatherings are important and essential to any community and through this work, John Chabot is leading a growing momentum to better ensure opportunities for First Nation youth through healthy living, sport and recreation. I commend his efforts and encourage First Nations and all Canadians to get out to a game!”
Through his non-profit organization First Assist Charity, Chabot is organizing a series of hockey games with NHL players and alumni in support of programs that benefit First Nation and disadvantaged youth. Proceeds from the first game in Cornwall, Ontario November 5 will support First Assist Charity as well as the Cornwall Chapter of the Max Keeping Foundation, an organization that financially helps disadvantaged children and families to meet emotional, physical and emergency needs (www.maxkeepingfoundation.org).
Upcoming charity games are tentatively scheduled for Thunder Bay and locations in the Northwest Territories between now and the end of November. For more information on First Assist Charity or game locations and tickets please e-mail FirstAssistCharity@gmail.com, visit the First Assist Charity Facebook page or follow at www.twitter.com/first_assist.
These efforts supplement AFN’s IndigenACTION movement – an initiative launched in July 2010 to foster partnerships that will better ensure Indigenous peoples in Canada have an opportunity to grow themselves and their communities through community fitness, wellness, sport and recreation. IndigenACTION has helped to grow and enhance partnerships with Nike N7, Rick Hansen Foundation and Just Move It. For more information on IndigenACTION visit http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/10-09-22_indigenaction_backgrounder_e_updated_2.pdf.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow us on Twitter @AFN_Updates, @AFN_Comms
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For more information please contact:
Jenna Young AFN Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext 401; 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca
Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext 382; 613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca
