As part of our Storytelling Series: Celebrating Indigenous Sport Heroes, we bring you the story of Chief Wilton Littlechild.
Mahihkan Pimohtêw – Chief Wilton Littlechild’s inspiring story began on the Ermineskin Cree Nation Reserve at Maskwacis, Alberta. He and his 11 siblings were raised by his grandparents, who nurtured and taught them cultural and traditional practices while encouraging him to pursue formal education.
However, when he was six, Wilton was taken to the Indian Residential School, living 14 years in these institutions. He was removed from his family and traditional home and not allowed to speak his language or practise his culture. During this period, he witnessed and experienced many tragic cases of abuse.
“I search in my mind if ever my parents saw me play any sport, and I played a lot of sports. And they were never there,” he said.
Despite the horrors of abuse and challenges faced by Wilton and so many Indigenous youth, he focused on the positive things he could control in his life by immersing himself in sports. He was a multisport athlete, participating in ice hockey, football, baseball, and swimming.
Sport helped him find resilience and escape from the institutional abuse, paving his way to the University of Alberta where he participated as a member of the Golden Bears ice hockey and swimming teams. On top of this, he also managed the football and basketball teams, exemplifying his commitment to others and community, instilled in him by his grandparents.
In university, Wilton would win over 70 regional, national, and international competitions. During this time, he completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in physical education, as well as a law degree. Wilton became a lawyer, establishing him as the first Treaty Indian from Alberta to do so. Later, he would also become the first Cree person elected as a Member of Parliament in Canada.
Chief Wilton Littlechild’s exemplary life as both an athlete and sport builder, and his contributions across the globe serve as an outstanding example for all.
Read more about Wilton’s story in the Indigenous Sport Heroes Digital Book connected by Canadian National Railway Company.
Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Experience presented by Black Diamond Group
Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Hub presented by Enbridge
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