History
Team Eastern Door and the North (EDN) is the name of the team representing Quebec First Nations and Inuit in various national sporting competitions, including the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) and the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).
The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) has been tasked by the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador to promote sports and recreational activities and coordinate the participation of the EDN delegation in the various events that take place across Canada. The delegation, made up of multi-nation teams, proudly represents First Nations and Inuit culture and values.
Values
Team EDN is guided by three fundamental values: respect, athletic excellence and team spirit.
Mission
Team EDN is committed to reinforcing a sense of cultural belonging and cultural pride among First Nations and Inuit youth in Quebec. Its mission is to:
- Instill in Indigenous youth a sense of accomplishment, pride and self-confidence.
- Build a sense of belonging to the community and nation and a sense of pride in representing First Nations and Inuit cultures, identity and athletic excellence.
- Build sports and athletic skills in First Nations and Inuit communities.
- Encourage Indigenous youth to adopt healthy lifestyles.
- Instill in Indigenous youth a sense of accomplishment, pride and self-confidence.
- Build a sense of belonging to the community and nation and a sense of pride in representing First Nations and Inuit cultures, identity and athletic excellence.
- Build sports and athletic skills in First Nations and Inuit communities.
- Encourage Indigenous youth to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Tribute
It is with great sadness that team EDN travels to Halifax to participate in the NAIG 2023 without the presence of Mr. Dave Canadian, a committed Mohawk from Kahnawake who dedicated a large part of his life to young athletes in his community and beyond. He unfortunately passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018. Thirty years ago, he contributed to establishing a national amateur wrestling centre in his community where he trained several generations of youth on the mat, pushing them to reach their full potential. A mentor par excellence, he was a coach at Kahnawake Survival School from 1984 to 2006 and won 17 GMAA wrestling championships, along with several provincial and national championships.
He was a special advisor for team EDN during the Toronto 2017 NAIG and was honoured by the NAIG executive council for his outstanding work for the organization. He remained involved despite his declining health, another example of unmeasured strength. We note he attended all nine editions of the NAIG since it was created. He was always devoted to his various roles as team EDN coach and mission staff, as well as president and vice-president of the NAIG board of directors.
On behalf of all its members, team EDN warmly thanks Mr. Canadian for his contribution and involvement in the area of First Nations sports in Québec. His memory will without a doubt provide inspiration and hope for our athletes for many years to come.
