Diversity & Equality

The Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) and the Calgary Flames Foundation are proud to introduce the creation of the CSEC Inclusion Program. This program is comprised of a $2 million investment in sport inclusion through the Calgary Flames Foundation, along with the establishment of organizational and community partnerships and programs that promote inclusion.

The following are programs, partnerships and events to support diversity and inclusion. Please note, these are introductory partnerships as the launch of the program.

Indigenous Mentorship and Internship Program

CSEC is launching an internship and mentorship program for surrounding indigenous communities and students. The mentorship program will provide indigenous youth and students’ access to exclusive educational seminars hosted by CSEC departmental leaders on the business of sport and entertainment. The internship program will prioritize the hiring of indigenous students each season. In conjunction with these two programs CSEC will work with neighbouring indigenous communities to offer educational seminars, hosted by indigenous leaders and peoples, for CSEC staff.

Creating Inclusive Spaces

In addition to the two inclusive spaces the Calgary Flames Foundation helped open this year in Siksika Nation and a fully accessible outdoor rink in Parkdale, funding will continue to be provided to sport and recreational spaces in southern Alberta that stimulate inclusion among diverse populations and promote inclusive and accessible spaces. Examples include:

• Outdoor rinks in indigenous communities.
• Sport courts and play spaces for and in marginalized communities.
• Inclusive and accessible outdoor rink and play spaces in Calgary communities in partnership with the Parks Foundation Calgary.

Extension of CSEC Scholarship Program – Calgary Black Chambers Calgary Sport & Entertainment Group Athletic Achievement Scholarships (https://calgaryblackchambers.ca/scholarships/)

The Calgary Flames Foundation currently provides scholarships to post-secondary student athletes at UofC, MRU and SAIT. Each year three student athletes receive scholarships at each school. This program will be extended to five scholarships per school per year with the two additional scholarships awarded to BIPOC student athletes. This is also paired with an annual investment in the Calgary Black Chambers Scholarship Program awarded with the goal of supporting and promoting the academic achievements of Calgary’s Black students.

Spirit North Partnership – Movement Matters (https://www.spiritnorthxc.ca/)

This partnership with Spirit North supporting the program Movement Matters will promote mental and physical health through sport and play for southern Alberta’s Indigenous children and youth. Funding from the Calgary Flames Foundation will assist with the delivery of Spirit North’s land-based sport and play programs to Indigenous children and youth aged 6-16 in southern Alberta.

Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Experience (https://indigenousheroes.ca/)

The Calgary Flames Foundation has supported the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and SAIT on the creation of an Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Experience. This is a web based multi-media, interactive experience designed like chapters in a book. The exhibit will share the stories of the 14 Indigenous Hall of Famers for K-12 students available at no cost to teachers.

Calgary Flames Lace Up for Newcomers Hockey Program (https://www.ymcacalgary.org/sport-programs)

This floor hockey program will run once a week at YMCAs across Calgary in collaboration with the Centre for Newcomers and Trellis. Youth between the ages of eight and 12 are encouraged to register for the program at no cost as an introduction to hockey and sport.

Calgary Flames NHL/NHLPA First Shift Program (https://www.firstshift.ca/)

The First Shift Program is designed to ensure a positive experience for new-to-hockey families. The program provides a full set of equipment and six ice sessions to participants ages 6-10 and is an important step to learning to play and removing barriers to entry. This season camps include a camp in partnership with APNA hockey focused on the South Asian hockey community in Calgary and camps in Tsuut’ina and Siksika Nation.

Black Girl Hockey Club – Hockey Programming (https://blackgirlhockeyclub.org/bghc-scholarship/)

The Black Girl Hockey Club provides education, scholarship opportunities and community spaces focused on providing provide Black girls access to hockey. Calgary Flames Foundation funding will subsidize the costs of playing hockey for Black girls aged 9-18 years old. These scholarships are designed to assist and encourage Black women to pursue their interest in hockey.

Calgary Flames Sports Bank (https://www.flamessportsbank.ca/)

The Calgary Flames Sports Bank will continue to remove the barrier of accessing equipment by mobilizing the Sports Bank into marginalized, culturally diverse and indigenous communities in Calgary and southern Alberta.

Calgary Hitmen and Siksika Nation Memorandum Of Understanding

The Calgary Hitmen and Siksika Nation signed a first of its kind Memorandum Of Understanding (MOA) on August 12, 2021. The MOU provides a framework in which both parties work together to use sport to promote health and wellness, sport participation, and inclusion.

Every Child Matters Game

The Calgary Hitmen and Siksika Health host an annual Every Child Matters Game which celebrates Blackfoot Culture, promotes Indigenous role models in sport, and highlights the importance of sport in health and wellness. Siksika Health has assisted the Hitmen with COVID-19 planning as part of the team’s return to play committee.

Umoja Community Mosaic (https://umojamosaic.org/)

The Calgary Flames Foundation is proud to support Umoja Community Mosaic, formerly Soccer Without Boundaries, was founded in 2010 as a drop-in soccer club to help immigrant and low-income children get involved in community, UMC has grown to an organization that provides sports and social opportunities to all.

The Immigrant Education Society Calgary Flames Wellness Hut (https://www.immigrant-education.ca/)

The Immigrant Education Society Calgary Flames Wellness Hut is a space that encourages individual mindfulness practice in a holistic wellness space. The space will support mental and physical wellness by offering an array of services that can be booked, including group activities, preventative mental health programs, yoga, music, qigong and tai chi classes, psychoeducational sessions, multi-sensory therapy and youth programs.

Centre for Newcomers Learn to Skate Program (https://www.centrefornewcomers.ca/)

The Flames Foundation is supporting the CFN Youth Learn to Skate program offers a unique opportunity for immigrant and refugee youth in Calgary to become more involved in some of Canada’s favourite winter activities. It will create an opportunity for newcomer youth to learn the essential skills needed to join their peers at the rinks and lakes in the winter and will lay the foundation for youth interested in joining their local hockey teams. During this program, CFN will host various community events that will invite participants and the community to a day of skating and cultural food and drinks as a way to celebrate and share our joint love of skating while building community connections and confidence for newcomer youth.

Spirit North’s Lacrosse Program (https://www.spiritnorthxc.ca/)

With the Flames Foundation’s support, Spirit North’s Lacrosse program focuses on building understanding of the history and meaning of the game with Indigenous youth and aim to reduce barriers for participation. This program will grow the sport of lacrosse to Indigenous youth living in the communities of Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, and Blood reserves. Youth in these communities will have a chance to learn, play and participate in the sport through the delivery of high quality, regular sport delivery programs.

Start2Finish Running and Reading Club (https://www.start2finishonline.org/running-reading-club)