The first-ever Metis Nation-Saskatchewan Louis Riel Cup hockey tournament runs Friday through Sunday at the Rod Hamm Memorial and Harold Latrace Arenas.

The event is the perfect conduit where sport and cultural issues can be put aside, then discussed in a calm, rational manner away from the playing surface. Here’s former N-H-L defenceman and tournament ambassador Rich Pilon…..

The tournament features eight women’s and 12 men’s teams, made up of at least two players from each culture – Metis, Indigenous and non-indigenous – playing for up to $30,000 in prizes. Pilon, along with former Stanley Cup-champion Bryan Trottier and former N-H-Ler Dwight King – among others will be on hand to meet the public and sign autographs with autographed N-H-L memorabilia being auctioned off as well.