Fred Sasakamoose - Chiefs and Champions
Chiefs and Champions: Complete Series
•
23m
(2005, 24 minutes)
In 1953, Fred Sasakamoose (1933-2020), a Cree man from northern Saskatchewan, became the first status Indian to play in the NHL. Known for his deadly slapshot, Fred was sometimes called the reluctant Blackhawk because he almost refused a contract with the Chicago team in favour of returning to his Ahtahkakoop (Sandy Lake) reserve.
After only one season, Fred chose to leave the NHL, but went on to play with the WCHL's Kamloops Chiefs, where he was named honourary chief of the Kamloops Indian Band. When he returned home, he became Chief to his own people for six years.
Fred shared the difficulty of overcoming his residential school experience, his battle with alcohol as a young man, and working to heal substance abuse in his community. He also worked with the NHL's Diversity Committee and ran an annual hockey camp for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal kids.
Also, featured in 24 minute episodes are:
Chief Roger Adolph
Ross Powless
Alwyn Morris
Waneek Horn-Miller
Tom Longboat
Darren Zack
Billy Two Rivers
Angela Chalmers
Richard Peter
Sharon and Shirley Firth
Gino Odjick
The episodes are hosted by Tom Jackson.
Director: Doug Cuthand
Producers: Big Red Barn Entertainment, Sheliagh Cahill, Annie Frazier Henry, Ken Malenstyn
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