Indigenous NHL player Whitecloud accepts broadcaster’s apology for ‘toilet paper’ comment

Manitoba-born Indigenous hockey participant has accepted an apology from an American sportscaster after he mocked his final identify throughout an NHL playoff broadcast.

Broadcaster John Anderson made a demeaning joke about Whitecould, who performs for the Vegas Golden Knights, throughout ESPN’s flagship SportsCenter present after Monday night time’s recreation in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers.

Whitecloud, who grew up in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in southwestern Manitoba, scored his first aim in that recreation, which Vegas received 5-1.

During the highlights on ESPN’s SporstCenter, Anderson says, “what kind of a name is Whitecloud? Great name if you’re a toilet paper.” Anderson launched a press release shortly after the present and has since apologized to Whitecloud.

“I just wanted to reiterate to him that I was going to be first person to reach out my hand and offer help because people make mistakes and it’s just a time to learn,” Whitecloud mentioned.

READ: Manitoba First Nation backing dwelling expertise over Jets in NHL playoff sequence

The 26-year-old, whose father is a band councillor in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, is the primary Indigenous NHL participant from his hometown.

“I’m incredibly proud of my culture and where I was raised, how I was raised,” mentioned the NHLer. “Again, I accepted John’s apology and I think that is what I want everyone to know is that we’re going to try and learn from it and move forward in the right direction.”

Manitoba Chiefs: remark was discriminatory, racist 

Stephane Friday, co-founder of Hockey Indigenous, says incidents like these don’t simply occur on the massive stage, however in all leagues throughout the board.

“I see these kids just being discouraged all the time,” mentioned Friday. “They’re annoyed, indignant, a few of them get emotional, a whole lot of them are heartbroken. Some children could also be sturdy, however they do turn out to be emotional about it.

“I’m over it. It’s just tiring.”

During the Vegas-Edmonton spotlight on SportsCenter, John Anderson jokes about Zach Whitecloud's identify, saying it's a "great name if you're a toilet paper."

Whitecloud is the primary Indigenous NHL participant from the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. pic.twitter.com/gngA1yg8wk

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 9, 2023

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) known as out Anderson for the remark, calling it racist.

“I am truly disheartened that such an incredible role model for Indigenous youth has had to endure such inappropriate commentary as he did last night,” mentioned Grand Chief Cathy Merrick in a press release.

“Zach is the first hockey player from his First Nation to make it to the NHL, and so many youths look up to him and have hopes and dreams of also being in the NHL one day. So many First Nations youth play hockey across Canada; it is a sport that brings us together. Yet we continue to see discrimination and racism in the NHL community at all levels.”

???? Zach Whitecloud speaks on his pleasure for his heritage. ???? pic.twitter.com/3j5pIQT120

— z – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 9, 2023

‘It’s simply improper’ 

This week the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships are happening in Winnipeg. It’s a event a number of present and former

NHLers have participated in, together with Whitecloud. The annual occasion gives a discussion board for elite ladies and men First Nations, Inuit, and Metis gamers from throughout the nation.

“It’s just wrong,” mentioned event chair Jeff Spencer. “We’re in 2023 and I just can’t believe the ignorance of people.”

Spencer says he doesn’t wish to see younger Indigenous hockey gamers get discouraged by incidents like these.

“There’s an opportunity. They have goals and dreams, and you can reach it,” mentioned Spencer. “These guys have. The door is opening for you and the more of our young people that get out like that, Brandon (Montour), Zach (Whitecloud), Ethan (Bear), the more these guys see that there is an opportunity, so that’s great.”

CityNews reached out to Whitecloud’s household, who mentioned they want to put the incident behind them and deal with watching their son compete for the Stanley Cup.

The submit Indigenous NHL participant Whitecloud accepts broadcaster’s apology for ‘toilet paper’ remark appeared first on CityNews Calgary.