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Black History Month Celebration - The 130th Anniversary of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes
February 18, 2025
The Government of Canada, on October 9, 2024, announced the designation of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes (CHLM) as an event of national historic significance. In recognition of this and the 130th anniversary of the CHLM, Black History Ottawa and the Ottawa Senators have joined forces to celebrate Black History Month.
All are more than welcome to attend the following events:
On Thursday, February 20th at 7:00 pm at Ben Franklin Place (The Chamber) at 101 Centrepointe Drive, Canadian historian, George Fosty we will give a talk on the revised and expanded edition of his book Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895-1925 followed by a panel discussion on the significance of the CHLM and Black presence in hockey moderated by Bob Dawson, a former hockey player, sports writer and Black hockey historian. Panelists will include George Fosty, Mark Fraser, former NHL player who is the Director of Culture and Inclusion with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Robert Downey, descendant of James Ivan “Tude” Talbot and St. Clair “Pansy” Byard who played with the Truro Sheiks/Victorias in the CHLM in the 1890s. (Free admission and parking)
On Saturday, February 22nd at 7:00 pm at the Canadian Tire Centre (100 Palladium Drive, Kanata), the Ottawa Senators prior to their game against the Montreal Canadians will recognize the CHLM as part of their Black History Month Appreciation Night. Participating in the ceremonial puck drop are George Fosty, Lois Downey, descendant of Augustus and George Adams who played with the Halifax Eurekas of the CHLM in the 1890s, and Jean Marie Guerrier, Vice-President and Treasurer of Black History Ottawa.
On Monday, February 24th at 7:00 pm at the Canadian Tire Centre (100 Palladium Drive, Kanata) BHO, in partnership with the Ottawa Senators, will host a Commemorative Hockey Game with Mark Fraser, former NHL player, along with other local players and members of the Senators alumni. For the game, the teams will assume the names of the Halifax Eurekas and Dartmouth Jubilees who played in the CHLM's first game on February 27, 1895. (Free admission and parking in Lot # 3)