Frederick "Chief Running Deer" Sasakamoose (born December 25, 1933) was the first Canadian aboriginal player in the National Hockey League,[1] and the first First Nations player with treaty status.
He grew up on the Ahtahkakoop Indian Reserve as a Cree[1]. in Saskatchewan and learned to play hockey at an Indian residential school in Duck Lake. He was one of 11 kids, where only 5 survived throughout childhood due to smallpox [1].His Cree name that elders referred to him as was "to stand firm". [2] In 1953 he was selected as the most valuable player in the junior Western Canada Junior Hockey League while playing for Moose Jaw Canucks, scoring 31 goals in 34 games in the 1953-54 season [3]. He then made his debut in the NHL for the Chicago Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens the night of February 27, 1954. He played with the Blackhawks for 11 games [4]during the rest of the 1953–1954 season, and in following years played in the minor leagues. Sasakamoose skills are thanks to a Priest in Montreal who became the Sports director at the Indian residential school he was attending, who pushed Frederick to improve himself and develop an extraordinary left handed shot [5].
After retiring from hockey he became a band councillor on his home reserve and later chief for six years. He has also been extensively involved in the development of sports programs for aboriginal children.[citation needed] Since 1961 and beyond, he used his fame to promote opportunities for youth in sports which included Hockey, Long-distance running, Track and field, Soccer and Basketball. [6]In 2002 he was honoured by the Blackhawks at a home game.[citation needed]He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in the builders category. He was acknowledge for achievements and contributions by both the Assembly of First Nations and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN).[7] He was also a founding member of the Northern Indian Hockey League.
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