Flames say they're talking to Treaty 7 nations about land acknowledgement

The Calgary Flames are the only Canadian team in the NHL that doesn't include an Indigenous land acknowledgement before the puck hits the ice.

Jordie Mark, a Chiniki First Nation councillor, says that if the team reached out to the nations of Treaty 7 about incorporating a land acknowledgement into the pre-game ceremony, it would earn his respect, and perhaps make him more than an on-again, off-again fan. 

"To me, respect is earned. It's not what you say, it's what you do. So if they'd reached out that way … they'd gain my respect," he said Tuesday on the Calgary Eyeopener.

When asked for comment, the team released a statement, saying it's in conversation with the Treaty 7 nations regarding a land acknowledgement and initiatives such as the Flames Indigenous Celebration Game, which is slated for next month.

 "It is important that we continue to learn from these conversations and ensure we speak with all seven nations prior to any formal announcement," the team's statement said. 

The Flames didn't specify which nations they have spoken with regarding a land acknowledgement, nor did they give details on the state of those conversations. 

Land acknowledgements in the NHL 

In 2016, the Winnipeg Jets announced in a pre-game message — believed to be a first for an NHL team — that it plays on Treaty 1 land which consists of "original territories of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation."

The Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators incorporated land acknowledgements beginning in 2019. The Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers followed suit. 

Why the Calgary Flames are not part of that list is surprising to Mark.

"I'm amazed they've never done it," he said. 

The long-form reading of the Treaty 7 territory land acknowledgement is fewer than 120 words, and it takes less than a minute to say aloud.

Mark said that if the team began each game with a land acknowledgement, it would have an impact on the community, particularly the youth. 

"If I was a kid, hearing that would instill pride in me," he said.

"The youth really need that sense of pride. The sense of this is where I'm from, this is my team. My hockey team."