The fourth annual Spirit of the Bison event brought sport and Indigenous culture together in a celebration across three Bisons regular-season games (women’s hockey and men’s and women’s basketball). The national anthem was sung in Indigenous languages, and there were halftime performances from Indigenous dancers and drummers.

“Being here at the University of Manitoba, where we wear the bison, we really wanted to bring those Indigenous teachings and culture to our community,” says Bree Cruise, the Lead for Indigenous Achievement and Outreach for the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. “We really want Indigenous youth to see this as a place they can belong, a place they can go to school and a place they can continue their sports journey.”

Graham Hutchison-Campbell during a long jump competition

Graham Hutchison-Campbell, a captain on the men’s track and field team, was one of several athletes at the meet-and-greet station. He says being a part of the weekend was a great opportunity to speak to the community and encourage them to continue in sport.

“Sports teach so many fundamental values and morals to young kids which they can take with them into their professional careers,” says Hutchison-Campbell. “I think it’s especially important for the Indigenous community because they can meet people who are varsity athletes and help them find something to strive towards.”

Emily Mandamin, a forward for the women’s basketball team, says it’s important for Indigenous youth to “see someone who looks like them chasing their dream. If they see it they’ll know they can do it too.”

Emily Mandamin during the women’s basketball Spirit of the Bison game

Mandamin says it was exciting to see people embrace Indigenous heritage and events like Spirit of the Bison help continue the conversations of Truth and Reconciliation.

“Sport is medicine, and by connecting culture and sport, it can truly be a beacon of hope for Indigenous communities,” says Mandamin. “By having Spirit of the Bison night, it allows us to celebrate our experiences and respect the different journeys we’ve all had.”

Cruise says while Spirit of the Bison is a great opportunity to put Indigenous culture and student-athletes in the spotlight, it’s also important for the non-Indigenous members of the community to see the accomplishments of the artisans, singers, dancers and student-athletes at the university.

This is the fourth season the Bisons have hosted Spirit of the Bison.

The University of Manitoba aspires to and embraces the spirit of the bison. This strong, swift, hardy being lives as part of a herd once so large it covered the horizon, and the sound of their hooves striking the earth sounded like the thunder of the frequent storms that give life to the plains.

During this event, Indigenous athletes were invited to watch Bisons athletes competing in volleyball, basketball and hockey. It was a truly inspiring day and local media came out to capture some of the excitement.

Here is a video from CBC Manitoba of the Strong Warrior Girls Anishinaabe Singers performing the Canadian anthem in Anishinaabemowin. 

And CTV was also in attendance and put together this story on the days events.