Join us for our 3rd year of Blockers & Attackers: Indigenous Women in Sports Leadership SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023 at the STAMFORD CENTRE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S ASSOC. NIAGARA FALLS.
Are you Interested in helping with our Annual Fundraiser? contact the Executive Director via email at edncnw@gmail.com to learn how you can assist.
Download and share the Sponsorship Package here, or view our Sponsor Information page here!
ABOUT BLOCKERS & ATTACKERS 2023 ~ Part of NCNW’s fundraising strategy
Our registered charity provides critical programs and services for urban Indigenous women, their children and families, throughout the bi-national Niagara Region, even while lacking stable, ongoing funding. NCNW’s fundraising strategy has evolved through a multi-prong approach to sustainable fundraising which will allow the Chapter to continue its programs and services into the future. Through this approach, one of the key fundraising opportunities for us, while still promoting, and showcasing positive Indigenous Role Models, is by offering this Annual Indigenous Women in Sports Leadership event.
The event engages the audience in an educational, future career minded and exciting event method. We are showcasing talented female Indigenous athletes who connect their identity and culture to their successes and share what challenges they have faced in the process. Sharing their stories through inspiring motivational talks and visuals, allows the audience to experience how critical it is to maintain an Indigenous identity for healthy self-esteem and lifelong success while bonding over the shared interest of sports. Speakers from various sports are presented each year, with some returning to continue updating us on their new ventures and progress.
We believe this event better allows our speakers and audience to participate and engage in understanding Indigenous culture and associated hardship through a mutual love for sports and a healthy, active lifestyle. Join us for our 3rd Blockers & Attackers event and directly support the ongoing programs and services we provide by ensuring the sustainability of our Chapter into the future.
Each year so far, although we started this in the days of COVID Pandemic, we have been fortunate to offer this event. First totally virtually then in person with reduced numbers and safety precautions in place. This year in 2023, we hope to finally offer the full scale, in person event. We can’t wait to see you there!
Purchase tickets here
OUR 2023 Presenters – Outstanding Indigenous Athletes’ Trailer!
WOW! Check out our Keynote Speaker Claudia Jimerson!
| WATER POLO | HOCKEY | LACROSSE | VOLLEYBALL |
ROLLER DERBY |
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WANEEK HORN-MILLER hails from the Mohawk communities of Kahnawake and Ohsweken. As one of Canada’s few Indigenous Olympians, she has worked extensively in the both the Indigenous and non-indigenous worlds as a motivational speaker, facilitator and in business sales. She has melded her love of all things Indigenous with her teamwork background, goal and excellence directed style to advance the goals of Reconciliation through social and economic development and advancement. To read more about Waneek… |
KALLEY ARMSTRONG is the granddaughter of legendary Toronto Maple Leaf captain George Armstrong. Nicknamed “the Chief” by the Stoney Plains First Nation reserve, he was one of the first Indigenous hockey players in the National Hockey League. George is the longest serving captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played a total of 21 seasons in the NHL between 1950-1971, winning a total of 4 Stanley Cups. George always said that the two most influential people in his life were women: his Anishinaabe mother and his Anishinaabe grandmother.
To read more about Kalley… |
CLAUDIA JIMERSON has many years of both playing and contributing to the growth and development of Women’s To read more about Claudia… |
AMY WILSON-HANDS is an Anishinaabekwe woman from Rainy River First Nations in Treaty 3 and resided in her hometown of Fort Frances, Ontario. She moved to the Greater Toronto Area in 2017 and is a proud wife and mother. Amy began her involvement in sports from a young age where she was introduced to all types of sports through her father. She competed in baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball, the latter being very much a big part of her life in the way of coaching. To read more about Amy… |
JESSICA GHOSEN is an All-Star Roller Derby athlete based out of Buffalo, NY. She spent nine years passionately giving her all to the sport; in any capacity she could. She has been a skater, captain, as well as a coach. Jessica began skating back in 2011 with Queen City Roller Derby and rapidly progressed year after year. In late 2013, she was drafted as a travel charter skater with the Lake Effect Furies. The Lake Effect Furies steadily climbed in the WFTDA’s rankings and were last placed at 23rd in the world at the start of the 2020 season. The Furies were on track to make the biggest waves they’ve ever imagined in 2020, before the pandemic shook the world, and brought everything to a halt. To read more about Jessica…
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ENTERTAINMENT
Our entertainment for the event is Siqiniup Qilauta (Sunsdrum) – Traditional Inuit Throatsinging is a game or competition usually done with two women. There is a leader and a follower, the leader sets the rhythm, the pace and the sound, and the follower repeats the sound.
Each person is trying to ‘trip up’ the other and therefore, the songs normally end in laughter.
PROGRAM
Check back soon for updates!
OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS
Click here to learn how you can become a sponsor!
Feature Sponsor: Emcee
| EAGLE FEATHER Sponsors |  |
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| MEDICINE BAG Sponsors |   |
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| MOCCASIN Sponsors |  |
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| MOCCASIN Sponsors (Continued) |   |
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DONATE
This project made possible by and with our thanks to: