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“I understand their disappointment. But we had to make a decision, what we see as best for all of hockey in the province,” he said.

In a news release issued Wednesday morning, the BMHA described the AAA Blackhawks as a “one-of-a-kind” franchise, the only such team in the entire country that is located on and operated by a First Nation.

“The only one. In this era of reconciliation, this team should be a point of pride, and a flagship franchise for a sport’s governing body like the SHA,” BMHA president Jason Seesequasis said in a statement.

The AAA Blackhawks have been in place for 25 years, the AA Blackhawks even longer. Midget AAA is typically played by teenagers aged 15 to 17, and is the highest level of hockey beneath junior and the Western Hockey League.

Garnet Eyahpaise, a former Beardy’s & Okemasis chief, said he read the original proposal that created the team more than two decades ago, and watched as generations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous players came through the club.

“We may be different colours but we’re playing for the same team, same jersey. Those things you can’t measure,” he said of how the club “broke down barriers” between people from around the province.

Gamble said the team entered the review process in good faith and hoped no decision had been made before any vote was cast, despite he and Parenteau hearing rumours that the result was predetermined.

McClintock denied that suggestion, saying the applications were evaluated fairly and there was no premeditated decision about which teams would be successful in re-entering the league.

“There was no fix.”

Gamble went on to say the BMHA is exploring its options, but that any appeal would be like “Attila the Hun going to the Vatican.” The association is also considering legal options, he added.

McClintock said there is no way to appeal a decision made by the association’s board, and that it won’t be revisited.

amacpherson@postmedia.com

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