5th Anniversary of Indigenous Sport Gallery at the BC Sports Hall of Fame

Established in 2018, the Indigenous Sport Gallery at the BC Sports Hall of Fame is the largest known permanent gallery in the world dedicated to Indigenous sport and highlights the accomplishments and contributions of Indigenous athletes, coaches and builders who have had a profound impact on sport history and culture – and brings their stories to life.

In celebration of the Gallery’s 5^th anniversary, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, in partnership with Canadian Heritage, Province of BC, and BC Arts Council, continues its expansive digitization of the Indigenous Sport Gallery, making it accessible to people across Canada and around the world by March 2024.

“As we mark the 5^th anniversary of the Indigenous Sport Gallery, we want to offer our gratitude to the BC Sport Hall of Fame for honouring the rich history of Indigenous sport and outstanding accomplishments of Indigenous athletes,” says I-SPARC CEO Rick Brant. “As a founding partner to the gallery, we are excited for the upcoming digitization of the gallery, which will bring greater attention to these remarkable stories. This important step reflects our shared commitment to Reconciliation as we work to foster understanding, respect, and unity.”

The celebration will honour the founding partners of the project – ISPARC, the Government of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver, as well as the 100 Ravens whose generous donations have helped to ensure that Indigenous youth across BC have access to the inspiring stories in the Indigenous Sport Gallery.

The 100 Ravens campaign has helped bring the Indigenous Sport Gallery to over 67,000 Indigenous students across BC. A committee co-chaired by Tewanee Joseph and Chief Lara Mussell Savage played a vital part in raising over $58,000 for the campaign. A plaque has been installed in the Gallery that lists the individuals and organizations who have supported the campaign through their generous monetary contributions. Donations are still being accepted: 100 Ravens

The BC Sports Hall of Fame is also thrilled to announce APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) has come on board to support the Digital Indigenous Sport Gallery! APTN is extending its reach in the promotion of the Digital Indigenous Sport Gallery and the Official Presenting Partner of the 2023 Annual Summit Hero In You community outreach.

“APTN is proud to sponsor the BC Sports Hall of Fame’s Indigenous Sport Gallery, a space that celebrates the rich history of Indigenous sport across the West Coast and beyond,” says Danielle Gagnon, APTN’s Manager of Partnerships. “As the gallery celebrates its five-year anniversary and the upcoming launch of its digital platform early next year, we would like to congratulate the staff on everything they’ve done to preserve the legacy of Indigenous athletes for future generations. Here’s to many more years of the gallery inspiring and uniting us all!”

The public is encouraged to visit the Indigenous Sport Gallery to see the latest additions. The BC Sports Hall of Fame will be offering FREE admission for those wearing orange on Saturday, September 30^th for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Visitors can learn about the impact of Indigenous athletes in BC sports despite the racism and adversity they have faced, and the Hall will have an interactive activity for people to reflect on the meaning of truth and reconciliation.