The 2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC) is fast-approaching, as they begin May 6 and go until May 12. The championship was founded by the Aboriginal Sports Circle and Sanctioned by Hockey Canada.

The tournament provides a platform for elite bantam and midget-aged Aboriginal hockey players from across Canada to showcase their athletic abilities while also fostering cultural unity and pride.

The event has been held annually since 2002, and the NAHC also serves as a focal point for grassroots and regional Aboriginal hockey development. For the first time in the championship’s history, it will be held in Whitehorse.

"It is the first time it is held North of 60," said host committee chair Michelle Dawson-Beattie. "It is going to be elite athletes from across Canada; there is 18 teams, and we are really focusing on incorporating culture as much as we can.

"(As well) showcasing what Whitehorse has to offer in terms of our facilities around town, we are going to be using the cultural centre quite a bit. It is going to be high-calibre, elite hockey."

The host committee learned it had won their bid last May, with Saskatoon being the other finalist. Echo Ross, who helped put the bid together, said the committee members focused on three key areas.

"One of the things was definitely the cultural aspect of the Yukon," said Ross. "In our bid, we put a lot of emphasis on the fact that we would incorporate First Nation culture in our event.

"The other thing was the fact is that it's never been held in the North and there has been a Team North (competing). Saskatoon has hosted before and Saskatchewan has hosted it a few times, so I think that it’s never been hosted in any of the territories was a big draw.

"The third thing that they actually told us point-blank was Air North was a big reason we won the bid because it's easier to get here than people think."

Team North, which has a male and female team entered, is made up of athletes from the three territories.

The male team will have six Yukon athletes. Seven are from Nunavut and the remaining eight are from the Northwest Territories.

The female team will have five skaters representing the Yukon. There are six members from the N.W.T., and six from Nunavut.

Michael Tuton and Candice MacEachen will be behind the benches and William Carlick is the male side's team elder.

In winning the bid to host the championship in 2019, Dawson-Beattie had the opportunity to travel to last year's tournament in Membertou, Nova Scotia. While there, she saw what she liked and what she would like to change when it’s Whitehorse's turn to host.

"It was really great," said Dawson-Beattie. "One of the things I would like to not happen is a lot of the teams left. It was a smaller community, and I think because we are so central here and there really isn't any major hub close to us, we will be able to keep the teams here for the finals.

"The stands were full but it wasn't the great hockey atmosphere. The two final games though, for the men's were B.C. and Saskatchewan. It was like, you were sitting on the edge of your seat, it was so great. It was a really great hockey game."

One change Dawson-Beattie is looking to implement is the trophy celebration at the end of the final games.

"One of the things that I noticed, was that the championship trophy is this beautiful hand-carved trophy but the kids can't touch it," said Dawson-Beattie. "I was really surprised by it. I was like, 'what – they can't skate around with it?' They just won a national championship and they all kind of sat around the table.

"That is something I really want to do differently. Even if we got a trophy made up. They are champions something for them to lift in the air…"

"That will be happening," cut-in Ross.

"Perfect," replied Dawson-Beattie.

Even though the NAHC has not been held in Whitehorse Dawson-Beattie and Ross have experience organizing tournaments, they said they aren't feeling any pressure.

"I don't think so, I don't feel like there is pressure," said Ross. "Maybe at the start, because we have never hosted the event before, some things were eye-opening, but not it a bad way.

"The age group and the fact that it is a Hockey Canada event makes it a little different but no pressure."

"I don't think so either," said Dawson-Beattie. "I think if anything we wanted more control. Our hockey association board we don't have to answer to anyone outside of the board. To be accountable to a bigger organizing group and then a working group underneath it, we aren't used to being constrained."

"But ask us that in a week," joked Ross.

Not wanting to give away to many details, Ross spoke briefly on what people can expect when they attend the games or go to the cultural centre.

"We don't want to give everything away, but we are doing a unique welcome and beautiful welcome for all of the teams on the opening day; again, don't want to reveal what it is," said Ross. "There is a lot of cultural elements involved, you take about the Native Hockey Tournament and the way they do their opening ceremonies there will be a lot of those elements."

Dawson-Beattie said they have partnered with BC Hockey to host ball hockey for the kids.

"They are going to be hosting ball hockey," said Dawson-Beattie. "There is going to be clinics going around, Carcross, Carmacks, Teslin, Pelly Crossing. They are going to be hosting all these clinics and fortunately, there is enough funding left over that they can actually leave ball hockey equipment at the schools."

Both Ross and Dawson-Beattie hope the people of Whitehorse come and support all the athletes competing.

"We really want to create a good atmosphere, we want the stands to be full," said Ross. "They are elite athletes, these are the best Aboriginal athletes in their age group from across the country. So it would be really great if we had full stands and just really good community support.

"If you see the teams walking around downtown, you know, just say hi; that would be fantastic."

The first day of the tournament, May 6, will be a practice day for all the teams. Games will start the next day.

Team North females are in a pool with Saskatchewan and B.C. Their first game of the championship will be at Takhini Arena at 8:45 p.m.

The male Team North is pooled with Manitoba and Ontario. They have a bye on the first day of the tournament and begin play at 8:30 p.m., on May 8 at Takhini Arena.

Dawson-Beattie said the host committee is still looking for volunteers. If they wish to register, they can go to NAHC2019.com.

For those looking to take in the exciting hockey action, tournament passes can be purchased for $30 and $25 for seniors and youth, children under five are free. The tournament pass is good for all games, including the medal rounds. They are available at Sport Yukon or at the door.

Day passes will also be sold at the door during the event and are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and youth.