Fifth annual Every Child Matters game hosted in Calgary

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Siksika Health Services and the Calgary Hitmen hosted their fifth annual Every Child Matters game, March 9, continuing support for the greater movement of the same name.

The event serves to ensure all children know their importance, as well as to honour those who attended residential schools, their families, and their communities. 

This year marked the sixth year of partnership between the Calgary Hitmen and Siksika Health Services. 

“It is important because it is a two-way partnership. It really is the definition of what a partnership is. We learn from them, they learn from us,” said Amy Bontorin, manager of business operations with the Calgary Hitmen. “It was formalized in August 2021 when we signed a memorandum of understanding with Siksika Health Services with the commitment to learn from each other, celebrate each other, both on our annual game as well as throughout the year.”

This year’s game saw the Hitmen squaring off against the Brandon Wheat Kings at the Scotiabank Saddledome, with the Hitmen earning a 4-1 win.

In addition to the game this year, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) showcased a display featuring all of the First Nations collaboration jerseys. Each of these were up for auction with proceeds returning to support youth programming in Siksika Nation. 

“The main theme for this season is the celebration of five years of the game itself, so a pretty big milestone to be hitting. We (also) had Phyllis Webstad, the founder of the Orange Shirt Society, in attendance at our game this year, where she was speaking to some of our guests about her story,” said Bontorin. “The first event that we did was a practice out at Deerfoot Sportsplex on Siksika Nation. Siksika Health Services had reached out to us and wanted to formalize a partnership where their youth on the Nation had individuals to look up to.”

Kent Ayoungman was commissioned to create a story robe which tells the story of the partnership between the two organizations, which was also able to be viewed at the Saddledome during the game.

Speaking to the greater impacts of the partnership, Bontorin added Calgary Hitmen players participated in Naloxone training, which was put to use.

“We had some of the Heroes and Superheroes kids come participate alongside our players as well as Siksika youth, and they were given this training, and there was one of the Heroes kids who saved a life of from somebody who was overdosing,” she said.

Though what 2026 will look like for the game and the partnership is unknown, the ongoing goal is to see it continue to grow and spread the conversation.