“Being represented in the game on your own terms”

Abstract

Ryan Francis grew up in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada and is a member of Acadia First Nation. He played hockey in the United States while he completed an undergraduate degree in Sport Management before returning to Canada to obtain a Master of Physical Education in Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision. He is currently employed as Manager of Provincial Outreach and Coordination for the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage in its Communities, Sport, and Recreation Division. He is also the first ever Visiting Indigenous Fellow at Saint Mary’s University where he is leading projects in research and community collaboration all related to Indigenous sport participation and education. Ryan is perhaps best known for having helped launch the Indigenous Girls Hockey Program Nova Scotia, a role that contributed to his nomination for the National Hockey League’s prestigious Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. He wrote this essay in his capacity as a Mi’kmaw hockey player and sport administrator about his perspective on racism in hockey and how the structure of mainstream hockey in Canada perpetuates exclusion.