FEMALE YOUTH CHIEF
AANIIN, TANSI. MY NAME IS SEMIAH COTE, FEMALE YOUTH 
Chief, and I play hockey for the Bridge City Storm team in 
the Saskatchewan Senior Women’s Hockey League (SSWHL). 
I would like to introduce a new and exciting opportunity for 
our Indigenous women who are in university, have completed 
their studies or have aged out of high-level hockey. The 
SSWHL is a powerful step forward for women in hockey – 
especially for Indigenous women.
For too long, women and girls have faced barriers that 
limited their ability to continue playing at a competitive level 
once they became adults. Men have been the focus of hockey 
for many years, and sometimes they even get paid to play. 
The SSWHL changes that – it creates spaces specifically for 
adult women who still want to grow in the game, challenge 
themselves and play in a league that recognizes their strength, 
skill and leadership.
The SSWHL has 11 teams playing from the North and 
the South Division. This league is the first and only senior 
competitive league in the province. There are 12 regular 
season games for each team, which are catered to our busy 
lifestyles as mothers, caretakers and providers with jobs 
and families.
For myself, I never played high-level hockey. My parents 
got me into house hockey when I was 11, and none of us 
ever predicted the deep, lifelong love I would develop for 
the game. I wasn’t the strongest or most confident player in 
the beginning. I started off awkward, shy and unsure – but I 
always told everyone I wanted to be an NHL player (since at 
the time there wasn’t a PWHL). That dream always stuck with 
me, and it even lit something inside of me.
As I got older, the game became more than just something I 
played. It became a teacher. But it wasn’t easy – I had to write 
an essay to the minor hockey association on the racism and 
misogyny I experienced with opposing teams. I also went 
through heartbreaking lateral violence within my own teams. 
Those moments had me questioning whether I even belonged 
in hockey. There were times I wanted to quit – times when 
I felt small, pushed aside or unheard. But every time I got 
knocked down, I stood back up and used the negativity as 
fuel for the game.
Message from 
the FSIN Female 
Youth Chief
Strengthening opportunities for 
Indigenous women in hockey
By Semiah Cote
I continued to look for 
higher-level hockey given 
my circumstances, and 
came across the SSWHL. 
The energy we have 
together is something 
special – supportive, 
focused and full of good 
spirit. We’re learning 
how to play together, 
and with every game, we 
grow stronger as a unit. 
Everyone on our team 
is incredibly talented, 
and I’m grateful to be 
surrounded by such skill, 
determination and heart. I 
truly love my team and the journey we’re on together.
I am forever grateful for this beautiful game. But more than 
anything, I just want the future generation of women and 
girls to know they belong here. I want them to continue their 
journeys in hockey and to support one another because it’s 
powerful when we have each other’s backs. No matter what 
level you’re at, if you have a goal, strive for it and don’t stop.
That’s why the SSWHL is so important. For the first time, 
Indigenous women like me have the chance to play in a 
structured, competitive league where we are not the minority 
– where we are supported, uplifted and celebrated. This 
league represents progress and hope.  
About Me
•	
From Cote First Nation
•	
Saulteaux and Cree
•	
University student and emerging artist
•	
Competitive athlete
•	
Dances fancy and old style jingle
28  OUR PRIORITY  Issue 1  2025/26

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