People Behind the Project
Maia, Naomi, Savannah, Gracie and Kenzie are students at the R.I.S.E. Academy in Ottawa, ON. When not studying, the girls are busy playing hockey. Concerned with the existence of racism in hockey and the local hockey community in general, they, as participants in the Academy’s Social Change Makers Program, have developed, under the direction of the Academy’s founder Rebecca Chambers and support of Bob Dawson, the “Let’s Blow theWhistle on Racism in Hockey” campaign.
Maia, Naomi and Savannah
Bob, Gracie, Naomi and Kenzie
My name is Maia Peters, I am 14 years old and I play hockey for the Nepean Wildcats. I have been playing hockey for 8 years now and it is something that I enjoy for a couple of reasons. These include that I have met my best friends while playing, and it’s exciting every time you step onto the ice. I wanted to be a part of this campaign because it is something I am very passionate about. I would like to be a part of the change against racism.
My name is Gracie Sacca, I am 16 years old and I’ve been playing hockey for 11 years. Hockey is my entire life and will always be my favourite sport. When I’m not on the ice I like to play other sports like lacrosse, golf, and soccer. I’m also interested in photography and playing the guitar. I wanted to be a part of this campaign because after becoming more educated about racism in hockey and talking with BIPOC players as well as Renee Hess, founder of Black Girl hockey club, I’ve realized that I can do a lot more about this issue than I thought. It really bothers me that BIPOC players have to deal with this, more than I ever realized. My goal is to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and safe in the rink.
My name is Naomi Chambers and I am 13 years old and I have played hockey for the last 8 years. I love hockey because I have made so many friends and we get the opportunity to travel a lot. When I am not playing hockey I like to be in the kitchen where I bake, make ice cream and cook dinners. I also like to golf and swim in my free time. I wanted to be a part of this campaign because I don’t think it is fair that people are treated differently in the game because of the colour of their skin or ethnic background. I want everyone to feel safe and welcomed in the hockey community.
My name is Savannah Smith and I am 14 years old. I have been playing hockey for almost 9 years and it has always been something I've been very passionate about. In my free time I also love to travel, workout and hangout with friends. I decided to be a part of this campaign because I think everybody should be welcomed into the hockey community. They should be able to play without being judged or discriminated against. Hockey needs to become a more inclusive sport for people of all colours and races.
Hi my name Kenzie Lehman and I am 13 years old. I have been playing hockey for 8 years. I started off playing boys hockey and then moved to girls. Hockey is my favourite sport but I love playing other sports. I play all the positions in hockey; defense, goalie, forward. I spend most of my time playing hockey, working out, and playing other sports. I participated in this campaign because I feel it is unfair that some people are being mistreated and don't feel comfortable and accepted in the hockey community.
Bob Dawson, Project Advisor
Born in Dartmouth Nova Scotia Bob played minor and high school hockey. Bob went on to play with Saint Mary’s University in Halifax in 1967, where he was the first Black to play in the Atlantic Intercollegiate Hockey League and in 1970 he was a member of the first all-Black line in university hockey. To learn more The first all-black line in Canadian University hockey - Sportsnet.
After a successful collegiate career and graduating from Saint Mary’s as well as Dalhousie University, Bob played Intermediate A and Senior hockey where he was regarded as one the top defensemen.
While living in Ottawa since 1980, Bob played hockey with the highly successful Ottawa Travellers and in 1983 was recruited to play with the Montreal Rusty Blades in the 2nd Annual Global Cup in Puigcerda, Spain. There, he was selected to play on the Canadian All-Star Team that played an exhibition game against the Spanish National Hockey Team. To this day, he continues to play hockey in the Ottawa Senior Hockey League. Bob, over the years, was often the target of racial slurs by spectators and opposing players as well as physical abuse by the latter.
When not playing hockey, Bob is busy writing articles for Boxscore World Sportswire on, among other topics, racism in hockey. Read Racism In Hockey: What You Say and Do Matters. Moreover, following a Roundtable on Racism in Hockey at Queen’s University on March 30, 2019, he co-authored a POLICY PAPER FOR ANTI-RACISM IN CANADIAN HOCKEY.
We are so thankful to have the guidance from Bob as our advisor on this project. To learn more about Bob click on http://thebobdawsonway.weebly.com.
Proudly Supporting
Black Girl Hockey Club is a non profit organization that focuses on making hockey more inclusive for Black women, our family, friends and allies. The mission of Black Girl Hockey Club is to inspire and sustain passion for the game of hockey within the Black community, specifically with our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends.
Black History Ottawa is a registered Canadian charity with a mandate to advance education by increasing the public's knowledge and appreciation of, and carrying out research in the history, culture, traditions and achievements of Canadians of African descent.
