TIGER-CATS LAUNCH JUNE JONES YOUTH MOVEMENT PROGRAM PRESENTED BY LiUNA
Program gives indigenous youth opportunity to experience game day at Tim Hortons Field
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Wednesday the launch of the June Jones Youth Movement program, presented by LiUNA. Taking into account Tiger-Cats head coach June Jones’ history and work with the indigenous Polynesian community, the June Jones Youth Movement will give hundreds of indigenous youth from Six Nations of the Grand River and the local Hamilton community the opportunity to experience a Tiger-Cats game day at Tim Hortons Field for each remaining home game of the 2018 season.
“In my experience working with youth of American Samoa, football has created great opportunity for many Polynesian young people that they otherwise may not have had,” said Jones. “I wanted to find a way for indigenous youth in the Hamilton area to become exposed to the game of football to primarily create a memorable experience for them, but also to possibly inspire a new generation of football players who may find opportunity through the sport in the future.”
To facilitate this initiative, the Ticats have partnered with the McMaster Youth Movement, an outreach arm of McMaster’s Indigenous Student Services department which exists to ensure long-term development and growth in sport for First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth.
“The formation of the June Jones Youth Movement signifies the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ commitment to reconciliation in this country,” said John Williams 2nd, Director of the McMaster Youth Movement. “The club has a track record of helping break down barriers in sport that began with Bernie Custis and will continue with the indigenous youth involved in this program. This is a monumental step towards promoting awareness of the past treatment of indigenous peoples as well as the ongoing process of truth and reconciliation.”
The June Jones Youth Movement program includes 30 tickets for indigenous youth for each of the Ticats’ six remaining home games as well as bus transportation and chaperones to and from each game, pre-game field level access to watch warm up and a Hamilton Proud Youth Movement t-shirt. The McMaster Youth Movement will help to identify youth to take part in the program.
“LiUNA is proud to continue our partnership with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as we launch the June Jones Youth Movement program,” said Joseph Mancinelli, LiUNA International Vice President and Regional Manager of Central and Eastern Canada. “As Canada’s largest building trades union, representing over 120,000 members from coast to coast to coast, LiUNA embodies strength, honour and justice. LiUNA is moving boldly and positively forward, in partnership with indigenous communities across Canada, whether it be through formal agreements with the Assembly of First Nations, First Nation Summit and Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario, building upon training and education as tools to build better futures, and inspiring youth through various community commitments. We look forward to coming together through sport and are proud to present the June Jones Youth Movement.”
