Fred Sasakamoose facts for kids

Frederick Sasakamoose, also known as "Running Deer", was a famous Canadian ice hockey player. He was born on December 25, 1933, and passed away on November 24, 2020. Fred Sasakamoose made history as one of the very first Indigenous players in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was also the first First Nations player with special "treaty status" to play in the league.

Fred played 11 games for the Chicago Black Hawks during the 1953–54 hockey season. Most of his hockey career, from 1953 to 1960, was spent playing in smaller leagues. After he stopped playing hockey, Sasakamoose became a leader in Indigenous communities. He even served as the chief of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation for a while. He was later honored for his important work, including becoming a member of the Order of Canada.

Early Life and Learning Hockey

Fred Sasakamoose was born into the Big River First Nation. He grew up on the Ahtahkakoop Indian Reserve in Saskatchewan, Canada. When he was born, an elder gave him a special Cree name that means "to stand firm."

Fred had a very close bond with his grandfather, Alexander Sasakamoose, who could not speak or hear. When Fred was just five years old, his grandfather taught him how to skate. He tied small "bob skates" over Fred's moccasins to help him learn. Fred was one of 11 children in his family. Sadly, six of his siblings passed away as children from smallpox.

When Fred was six years old, Canadian officials took him and his brother away from their home. They were forced to go to an Indian residential school in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. These schools were places where Indigenous children were sent, often against their will. It was at this school that Fred first learned to play ice hockey.

Fred Sasakamoose was also related to important leaders. He was the great-great nephew of Chief Ahtahkakoop.

Hockey Career Highlights

In 1944, Fred Sasakamoose joined the Duck Lake hockey team. A priest at the residential school, who was also a sports director, noticed Fred's amazing hockey skills. The priest encouraged Fred to get better, and Fred worked hard. He developed a very strong left-handed shot.

Fred became one of the best players on the school's team. But when he was 15, he left Duck Lake. He was so scared of going back to the school that he didn't believe it at first when a priest said a hockey scout wanted to meet him. A scout is someone who looks for talented players.

Eventually, Fred did meet the scout. When he was 16, he joined the junior Moose Jaw Canucks team. They played in the Western Canada Junior Hockey League. During the 1953–54 season, Fred scored 31 goals! Because of his great playing, he was named the league's most valuable player.

During that same season, Fred got to play his first games in the NHL with the Chicago Black Hawks. His first NHL game was on November 20, 1953, against the Boston Bruins. Fred played two games with Chicago, then went back to his junior team. A few months later, after his junior season ended, he was called back up to the Black Hawks. In total, Fred played 11 games for the Black Hawks that season. After that, he spent the rest of his career playing in different minor leagues.

Life After Hockey

After he stopped playing ice hockey, Fred Sasakamoose continued to be a leader. He became a band councilor for the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation for 35 years. He also served one term, which was six years, as the Chief of his Nation.

Fred was very dedicated to helping Indigenous children. Starting in 1961, he used his fame to create sports programs for young people. These programs included sports like ice hockey, long-distance running, track and field, soccer, and basketball.

Many organizations recognized Fred for his important work. In 2002, the Chicago Black Hawks honored him at one of their home games. He was added to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 for his work as a "builder" (someone who helps create and grow sports). He was also inducted into other halls of fame, like the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame. Both the Assembly of First Nations and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) honored him for his achievements. He even helped start the Northern Indian Hockey League. In 2018, he became a member of the Order of Canada, which is one of the highest honors a Canadian can receive.

His Passing

Fred Sasakamoose was admitted to a hospital in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. On November 20, 2020, he was diagnosed with COVID-19. Sadly, he passed away four days later due to problems from the virus. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan. He was buried at the Ahtahkakoop First Nation Cemetery.

Fred married Loretta Isbister in 1955, and they had nine children together. At the time of his death, Fred Sasakamoose's life story, called Call Me Indian, was almost finished. It was planned to be released on April 6, 2021.

See also

In Spanish: Fred Sasakamoose para niños