The Yukon Indian Hockey Association (YIHA) announced a milestone dedication honouring longtime tournament organizer, hockey mom and sport enthusiast, the late Sandi Gleason.

This is the first time in the 38-year history of the annual Kilrich/Northerm Yukon Native Hockey Tournament that the event has been dedicated.

As a longtime board member, serving an estimated combined 25 years on the volunteer organizing board for YIHA, Sandi Gleason’s unwavering dedication to the Yukon native hockey tournament is unmatched.

“Sandi worked tirelessly in the background on behalf of YIHA putting so many instrumental aspects of the tournament in place and yet she was very modest in terms of her contributions,” explained YIHA president Jeanie Dendys. “Our board was mindful to approach this dedication in a way that would honour Sandi’s modesty as much as her commitment.”

Designs for clothing items, wristbands, pucks and the promotional poster created by local artist Lance Burton for this year’s tournament include the subtle incorporation of Gleason’s signature, a feather and her number 22. A handful of teams have also followed suit, featuring dedications to Gleason through the design of their team uniforms and swag items for the tournament.

Gleason’s leadership and determination carried the event forward to the thriving and integral annual event that it is today, showcasing First Nation athleticism, embodying fair play and good-spirited competition.

Gleason’s influence is evident in YIHA’s key partnerships that helped the event to more fully embody its mandate to promote aboriginal hockey for all ages.

The support of major sponsors Kilrich and Northerm over the past several years has made it possible for tournament organizers to focus on the sport and athleticism, moving beyond focusing exclusively on the economics of running the event.

A long-standing partnership with the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle supports the 10-17 youth and jamboree divisions that have become so popular there is generally a waiting list.

YIHA also partners with Northwestel Summit Hockey School to offer an annual summer hockey skill development camps for all levels of players.

Through her work with YIHA, Sandi demonstrated a dedication to championing fair play and equality that has guided the event to where it is today.

Last year, the tournament introduced a Sportsmanship Award for the youth and jamboree divisions, which will be renamed this year in Gleason’s honour to commemorate her unwavering advocacy to these values. The award celebrates players who demonstrate fair play and work hard to consistently do their best.

“Through the dedication of this year’s tournament we recognize the many tournament legacies that Sandi initiated,” said tournament co-ordinator Karee Vallevand. “But we’re also mindful of the gifts of guidance and mentoring that Sandi provided to us as board members, helping to ensure the success of the tournament through the people that she influenced.”

The Yukon Indian Hockey Association (YIHA) was created in 1973 to promote aboriginal hockey for all ages and provide the opportunity for Yukon's First Nation athletes to compete with other Canadian provinces and territories in the sport.

The 38th annual Kilrich/Northerm Yukon Native Hockey Tournament is taking place in Whitehorse from March 20 - 22. YIHA will be making another special announcement at the opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m., March 20 at the Takhini Arena regarding the dedication. The drawing of the teams to determine the order of competition took place today.