CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award

Presented by

J.R. LaRose Named the 2024 CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award Recipient

For Immediate Release:

October 14,2024 

HAMILTON – Today, the Canadian Football League Alumni Association (CFLAA) proudly announces that, 2011 Grey Cup Champion with the BC Lions, J.R. LaRose has been selected to receive the CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award.

LaRose will be honoured during Grey Cup week in Vancouver at the CFLAA Legends Luncheon on Friday, November 15th.

“The CFLAA is proud to present this honour to J.R. LaRose,” said Leo Ezerins, Executive Director of the CFLAA, “and highlight his impact on the local community. A member of the One Arrow First Nation LaRose is dedicated to improving the quality of life of Indigenous people.”

LaRose grew up in Edmonton without a father and a mother that struggled with drug addiction. His father, of Nigerian heritage, was deported before he was born and his mother Barbara, was a Residential School survivor. The abuse she endured led her to drugs and alcohol and took its toll on her life as well as her two children. 

At age 15 J.R. was taken in by a family at a local church and they introduced him to the game of football. He honed his skills with the junior Edmonton Huskies and developed his game that the Edmonton Eskimos (now Elks) made him a territorial selection pick in 2005. 

In his 4th season in Edmonton he broke his leg and missed the entire 2009 season. The next year LaRose joined the BC Lions and would break the same leg. There would be another injury setback in 2011 but he would recover from a broken forearm in time for the playoffs and the Lions march to the Grey Cup Championship.

LaRose’s 9 year CFL career ended following the 2014 season and he has remained active in the community as an ambassador for Aboriginal peoples as an accomplished speaker talking to children about his life experiences and his journey to professional football. LaRose says that it is important to provide hope. “I have learned from my mistakes. I just had to learn to surround myself with positive people.”

This CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award was created to recognize former Indigenous CFL players and current advocates of Indigenous participants as players or coaches in the game of football.

J.R. LaRose will receive his award at The CFLAA Legends Luncheon Friday November 15, at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, Exhibition Hall C (Lions Den) 

Purchase tickets using the link below 
https://am.ticketmaster.com/bclions/node/287?promocode=RkVTVElWQUxQUkVTQUxF

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For more information contact:

Leo Ezerins
Executive Director, CFL Alumni Association

leo@cflaa.ca

1-905-464-0007



The CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award is intended to honour former Indigenous CFL players and current advocates of Indigenous participants as players or coaches in the game of football. This award presentation is an element of the Canadian Football League Alumni Association’s Indigenous relations 
initiative that supports the Canadian Football League’s “Diversity is Strength” strategy and truth and reconciliation initiative.

A former CFL player or CFL alumnus (as defined by the CFLAA) of Indigenous ancestry who made or is making a significant contribution to football or the community; OR A coach of Indigenous ancestry who made or is making a significant grassroots contribution to the game of football; OR A coach who made or is making a positive impact on Indigenous football players at any level.

About the CFLAA
The CFLAA supports former CFL players, Canadian football and other communities of interest while fostering collaborative relationships with the CFL stakeholders and others that enhance the well-being of our members and friends.

To become a member and receive the numerous benefits and support programs the CFLAA offers, visit www.CFLAA.ca.

For more information, contact:
Joe Gunnis – CFLAA Business Manager
306.631.4123
joe@cflaa.ca

Leo Ezerins – CFLAA Executive Director
905.464.0007
leo@cflaa.ca

John Macdonald
Named the 2023 CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award Recipient

For Immediate Release:

November 7, 2023

HAMILTON – Today, the Canadian Football League Alumni Association (CFLAA) is proud to announce that John Macdonald has won the CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award.

Macdonald will be honoured at the CARSTAR  2023 CFL Legends Luncheon in Hamilton on Friday, November 17.

“John Macdonald is an Indigenous leader who has made an incredible impact on the local community,” said Leo Ezerins, Executive Director of the CFLAA. “The CFLAA is proud to present this honour to John and to highlight his dedication to improving the quality of life of Indigenous people and his overall support of the CFL’s “Diversity is Strength” strategy and truth and reconciliation initiatives.”

John Macdonald, a member of the Mohawk Nation, Wolf Clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River territory, had an outstanding CIS and CFL career as a defensive lineman as well as an amateur football coach.

In 2001, his final CIS campaign, Macdonald earned second team CIS All-Canadian honours at McGill and was selected to the QIFC all-star team. He was also a CIS Academic All-Canadian in 2000. 

During the 2002 CFL Draft, Macdonald was selected as a first-round draft pick (7th overall) by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and went on to play 42 CFL regular season games.

Since leaving the CFL, Macdonald has been coaching high school football at Simcoe Composite School, Waterford District High School, McKinnon Park Secondary School, and Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School.  Macdonald has earned multiple championships, including Pauline Johnson Collegiate’s, in 2022, which ended a 16-year drought at the school.

He has also volunteered as a guest coach at the Guelph Gryphons and McGill Redbirds University camps, helping to prepare several players for the CFL.

Macdonald is also the varsity football governor for the Athletic Association of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk (AABHN).  Additionally, Macdonald serves on the Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association’s (HTCAA) Board of Directors, where he has volunteered to be the Indigenous advisor on the HTCAA, the CFLAA, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club, and the Canadian Football League.

For his community efforts, Macdonald was inducted into Norfolk Sports Hall of Recognition in 2017 and named the winner of the 2018 Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation Education Award (a national award presented to an Indigenous person making a significant impact in the field of education).

In 2021, the CFLAA added the Indigenous Champion Award to the event to support the CFL’s Diversity Is Strength strategy and the Truth and Reconciliation initiatives.

This prestigious award was created to recognize former Indigenous CFL players and current advocates of Indigenous participants as players or coaches in the game of football.

“It is an honour to again present the CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award during Grey Cup week,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Saskatchewan Polytechnic President and CEO. “The contributions of Indigenous people are an important part of our campus communities and our country. Congratulations to John Macdonald on this prestigious award. You are a great community leader and role model for students across Canada.”

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For more information contact:
Leo Ezerins
Executive Director, CFL Alumni Association
leo@cflaa.ca
1-905-464-0007

The CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award is intended to honour former Indigenous CFL players and current advocates of Indigenous participants as players or coaches in the game of football. This award presentation is an element of the Canadian Football League Alumni Association’s Indigenous relations initiative that supports the Canadian Football League’s “Diversity is Strength” strategy and truth and reconciliation initiatives

A former CFL player or CFL alumnus (as defined by the CFLAA) of Indigenous ancestry who made or is making a significant contribution to football or the community; OR

A coach of Indigenous ancestry who made or is making a significant grassroots contribution to the game of football; OR

A coach who made or is making a positive impact on Indigenous football players at any level.

Other Criteria:

Ideally the recipient will come from the region in which the Grey Cup game is being played.

Nominators are required to complete the nomination form approved by the CFLAA on behalf of the nominees (appended to this policy).

A nominee without Indigenous ancestry should only be nominated by a person of Indigenous ancestry. There are no other restrictions on who many submit a nomination.

Neal Hughes 2022 Indigenous Champion Award Recipient

THE CFLAA ANNOUNCES 2022 INDIGENOUS CHAMPION AWARD PRESENTED BY SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC

The Canadian Football League Alumni Association (CFLAA) is proud to announce that Saskatchewan Polytechnic will present the CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award at the 2022 CFL Legends Luncheon on Friday, November 18 at the Queensbury Centre Banner Hall in Regina, Sk.

Since 2009, the CFL Legends Luncheon has been held annually at every Grey Cup Festival. Featuring a large contingent of CFL alumni, the luncheon has become one of the premier events of the festival for CFL fans attending the Grey Cup.

An integral part of the CFL Legends Luncheon is the presentation of the Alumnus of the Year Award which honours a local Alumnus who excelled on the field while also making positive post-career contributions in the community. In 2021, the CFLAA added the Indigenous Champion Award to the event in support of the CFL’s Diversity Is Strength strategy and the Truth and Reconciliation initiatives.

The award is intended to recognize former Indigenous CFL players and current advocates of Indigenous participants as players or coaches in the game of football.

The CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award has three key criteria:

• • A former CFL player or CFL alumnus (as defined by the CFLAA) of Indigenous ancestry who made, or is making, significant contribution to football or the community; OR

• • A coach of Indigenous ancestry who made, or is making, a significant grassroots contribution to the game of football; OR

• • A coach who made, or is making, a positive impact on Indigenous football players at any level.

    In addition

• • Ideally, the recipient will come from the region in which the Grey Cup game is being played.

The inaugural presentation of the Indigenous Champion Award in 2021 had co-recipients: Jim Styres and Justin Shackell.

The CFLAA is pleased to announce that this year’s award will be presented to Neal Hughes, a Regina product of Metis heritage.

“Neal has consistently been a beacon for Indigenous people through his contributions during and after his wonderful career,” said Leo Ezerins, Executive Director of the CFLAA. “He continues to make a positive impact daily as a man, a father, a husband and a coach. The CFLAA is proud to bestow this honour to Neal.”

“We are honoured to present the CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award during Grey Cup week,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech President and CEO. “Indigenous people are an important part of our campus communities, our province and our country. Congratulations to Neal Hughes on this well-deserved award. You are a great community leader and role model for our students.”

Born in Regina on July 2, 1980, Neal began his football journey in 1987 with Regina Minor Football (RMF) before moving on to the high school level with the Thom Trojans. He then suited up with the University of Regina Rams for five seasons before signing with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2004 as a free agent.

His 11-year tenure with the Riders included playing in four Grey Cup games with victories in 2007 and 2013. He was inducted into the University of Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Riders Plaza of Honour in 2019.

Hughes was involved with numerous charity and community events throughout Saskatchewan during his 11 seasons with the Riders. He was the Riders ambassador for the CFL’s Diversity Is Strength campaign in 2018.

Since retiring, Hughes has continued to be active as both a coach and a community leader.

He understands and appreciates that the Indigenous Champion Award is more than just about football and more than just a traditional sports award.

“The further you get along into your sporting career, the more you realize that it’s more than just about the game and that it’s about giving back and trying to help other kids succeed and love the game,” said Hughes. “The game gave so much to me and helped make me the person I am today. I’m now trying to do my best with the kids I coach, to help them fall in love with the game.”

Neal Hughes will be officially honoured at the 2022 CFL Legends Luncheon on Friday, November 18 at the Queensbury Centre in Regina, Sk. This event includes a meal, silent auction, live auction, and heads-or-tails fundraiser. CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie and the infamous Grey Cup championship trophy will also be in attendance.

For further information and to purchase tickets go to: https://www.greycupfestival.ca/event/cfl-alumni-association-legends-luncheon-presented-by-phoenix-group

About the CFLAA

The CFLAA supports former CFL players, Canadian football and other communities of interest while fostering collaborative relationships with the CFL stakeholders and others that enhance the well-being of our members and friends.

To become a member and receive the numerous benefits and support programs the CFLAA offers, visit www.CFLAA.ca.

CFLAA Contact:

Leo Ezerins
Executive Director, CFL Alumni Association
leo@cflaa.ca
1-905-464-0007

The CFLAA announces Inaugural “Indigenous Champion Award”

For Immediate Release:
November 26, 2021

The Canadian Football League Alumni Association (CFLAA) is proud to announce it will be presenting the inaugural “CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award” at this year’s Grey Cup Legends Luncheon, on Friday, December 10^th, at the End Zone Bar & Grill, in Hamilton, ON.

Held annually, since 2009, as part of every Grey Cup Festival, this event features the largest contingent of CFL Alumni and has become one of the premier events of the festival for every CFL fan at the Grey Cup.

While the CFLAA has traditionally presented the “Alumnus of the Year Award” to honour a local Alumnus who excelled on the field, and has made positive post-career contributions in the community, this year’s addition of the CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award is in support of the Canadian Football League’s “Diversity is Strength” strategy and truth and reconciliation initiatives.

To do this, the CFLAA formed a sub-committee to create something that would meet this high standard and Tiger-Cat Alumnus John MacDonald, Mohawk from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, was invited to join the committee as an Indigenous advisor.  John proposed that this new award would hit the mark, and the Indigenous Champion Award was born.

In this light, the award is intended to honour former Indigenous CFL players and current advocates of Indigenous participants as players or coaches in the game of football.

Three key criteria for the CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award are as follows:

• • A former CFL player or CFL alumnus (as defined by the CFLAA) of Indigenous ancestry who made or is making a significant contribution to football or the community; OR

• • A coach of Indigenous ancestry who made or is making a significant grassroots contribution to the game of football; OR

• • A coach who made or is making a positive impact on Indigenous football players at any level.

    Additionally:

• • Ideally the recipient will come from the region in which the Grey Cup game is being played.

    To commemorate the honour, a permanent trophy will be created that represents visually the significance and uniqueness of the award (i.e., an eagle mounted on a base where all recipient names will be engraved) and which the recipient may keep for a year; a smaller version will also be created as a permanent keepsake for the recipient.

    The CFLAA is pleased to announce two outstanding co-recipients for this year’s award.

    Jim Styres will be recognized posthumously for his lifetime contributions. He will be represented by his daughter Eydie Styres.

    Jim Styres is from the Deer Clan of the Cayuga Nation born on the Six Nations Reserve October 23, 1929.

    He started his football career with the Brantford Bison Football league. He then played with the Hamilton Panthers, who were Dominion Intermediate Champions in 1951.

    In 1970, he coached the Hagersville High School football team to win the Zone 2 SOSSA Championship.

    Jim received much gratitude for his community work.  To pay respects to community elders in the 70’s, he started the summer Elders Fish Fry & the Fall Game Dinner, which are still annual traditions.  Jim was a respected elder and a head faith-keeper in traditional ways. The door to his cabin was always open to mentor many young people who wanted to learn the traditional ways.  In 2008 he was bestowed the community honour of the title Six Nations Community Treasure.  In 2010 Jim was honoured by Six Nations with the title of Knowledge Guardian for preserving centuries-long knowledge in his community.  In 2012 the Tiger Cat Alumni Association presented him with the Award of Distinction for recognition of his outstanding contribution to his community and the sport of Football.

    Jim passed away on August 28, 2018

Justin Shackell is from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

Justin started his playing days in the Belleville Minor Football League in 1992.  From there he spent 5 years at Moira Secondary School playing football, basketball and competing in shot put and discus.

After High School he played 5 years at Wilfrid Laurier University as a defensive end, defensive tackle, backup long-snapper and backup punter.  He finished his CIS career as a three-time Laurier linemen of the year MVP, two-time OUA first team all-star and first team All-Canadian in his final year. He was team captain in 2003 and played in 3 Yates Cup Championships. He was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger Cats in 2004.

He started coaching in 1999 in the BMFL. He was a defensive line coach for the Guelph Varsity Bears in 2003 in the OVFL. From there he was a player coach in the NFC for the Kingston Privateers for three years. In 2005 he coached the Bayside Secondary School team and then landed at Moira Secondary School, coaching junior defence, from 2006-2011, where they won two COSSA championships and one National Capital Bowl Championship.

He then went on to start a football program at St. Theresa’s where they won a Jr Bay of Quinte championship in their second year and went to two COSSA championships – one at Junior and one at Senior. In 2021 Justin was named head coach of the Quinte Skyhawks.

About the CFLAA
The CFLAA supports former CFL players, Canadian football and other communities of interest while fostering collaborative relationships with the CFL stakeholders and others that enhance the well-being of our members and friends.

To become a member and receive the numerous benefits and support programs the CFLAA offers visit CFLAA.ca.

CFLAA Contact:
Leo Ezerins
Executive Director, CFL Alumni Association
leo@cflaa.ca
1-905-464-0007