Frederick Sasakamoose

Frederick Sasakamoose

Sports (2011)

Fred Sasakamoose became the first Aboriginal and Treaty Cree person to play for the National Hockey League (NHL) when he joined the Chicago Blackhawks in 1953-1954. His involvement in the NHL led toward the creation of recreational opportunities for children in his First Nation community of Ahtahkakoop and but also across the province and the country. He became active in the promotion and development of sports programs for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth and organized and directed the ‘Fred Sasakamoose Hockey School’. Mr. Sasakamoose served on the National Hockey League’s Ethnic Diversity Task Force where he helped advance the recreational opportunities for less-fortunate children. He was a Band Councilor on the Ahtahkakoop Reserve for a total of 35 years and is currently employed as a Senator with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. He remains heavily involved in the community, and currently sits in as an Elder with the community school. He is an enthusiastic volunteer and chaperone for the youth of Ahtahkakoop First Nation when young athletes participate in sporting events.