Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators Games

December 6th, 2022 (Ottawa), January 7th, 2023 (Toronto) | Marketing and Branding

Through partnership with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, ITO supported the Maple Leaf Indigenous Celebration Games, bringing 100 Indigenous attendees to the game, and sponsoring three suites donated to the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and Hockey Equality. Indigenous Experiences, the Skode program, and ITO were on display through MLSE marketing both in-game and broadcasted to game watchers.

Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) was also honoured to support the Ottawa Senators' Indigenous Peoples Appreciation Night hockey game on December 6th, 2022. The evening was filled with cultural celebrations and performances, as well as the return of the Senators' Indigenized logo designed by Jay Odjick, of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. Cheering on the Ottawa Senators were 100 Indigenous youth who had been invited by ITO through various Indigenous service organizations. Events like the Indigenous Peoples Appreciation Night highlight the importance of inclusion in professional sports, by instilling Indigenous youth with cultural pride.

The following organizations support Indigenous peoples through service in the Ottawa region and were invited to attend the Senator's game:

Odawa Native Friendship Centre
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
Minwaashin Lodge - Indigenous Women's Support Centre
Inuuqatigiit - Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families