Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list inclu...
The life of Fred Sasakamoose is fit for Hollywood.
The iconic figure in Saskatchewan hockey is highly regarded not only in the athletic realm but as a fixture of inspiration for First Nations communities.
He was the first Aboriginal hockey player in the NHL. It was only for a few games but back in the ’50s, making it to the NHL wasn’t easy, period, especially from his beginnings.
He was a victim of residential schools, a victim of horrific abuse. He had siblings die of smallpox. He was born in the tiniest of log houses.
But somehow, through pure natural talent, he had the right people at the right time push him forward and got him to the door that he slammed open himself.
His pro career wasn’t long. But there was a reason he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame as a builder 13 years ago.
Sasakamoose has been an inspiration to many First Nations youth and a respected leader who asked for better from and for his people.
He leaves a legacy far greater than hockey. He leaves a legacy to be revered and honoured for the person he was and the lives he helped improve.
