Support Naming the Twin Hockey Arena in Honour of Jim Goodstriker
Oki,

We are calling upon the members of the Blood Tribe to support naming our new Twin Hockey Arena in honour of Jim Goodstriker (1937–1997).

Jim dedicated his life to promoting and supporting Blood Tribe athletes across many sports. His passion, leadership, and tireless commitment to our youth and community created a lasting legacy that deserves to be recognized for generations to come.

Jim began his career in the early 1960s as a sports reporter and photographer for the Kainai News. Through his writing and photography, he proudly showcased the achievements of Blood Tribe athletes and helped bring recognition to our community throughout Alberta and beyond.

In 1968, Jim turned his attention to rodeo and became one of Western Canada’s best-known Indigenous rodeo photographers. By invitation, he served as the official photographer for the Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association and the National Indian Rodeo Finals from 1976 to 1982. He also worked with numerous Indigenous and non-Indigenous rodeo organizations throughout his career.

Jim was deeply involved in hockey. From 1967 to 1985, he coached and managed the Kainai Chiefs, leading the team to several provincial championships. During those years, the Kainai Sports Centre was filled with fans who came together to support their team and community. Jim was a true ambassador for both senior and minor hockey on the Blood Tribe.

As a reporter for the Kainai News from 1973 to 1995, Jim covered countless Blood Tribe hockey players and other athletes, sharing their stories, accomplishments, and community pride. Through his articles and photographs, he inspired generations and preserved an important part of our sporting history.

Jim was also instrumental in organizing and promoting several important Indigenous sporting organizations and events, including:

Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association
Alberta Native Hockey Council
Native Golf Association of Alberta
Indian Sports Olympics

His contributions were recognized through numerous honors and awards, including:

Sportsman of the Year
Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta Award
Advisor to the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta
Inductee into the Indian National Finals Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2024
Jim Goodstriker was more than a coach, photographer, and reporter—he was a proud ambassador for Indigenous athletes and, especially, for the people of the Blood Tribe.

For nearly three decades, Jim dedicated himself to coaching, managing, promoting, documenting, and supporting our athletes. Naming the new Twin Hockey Arena in his honor would recognize his extraordinary contributions while inspiring future generations to carry forward the pride, dedication, and community spirit he represented.

We respectfully ask for your support in honoring Jim Goodstriker’s legacy by naming the new Twin Hockey Arena in his memory.

Please sign this petition and help ensure that Jim’s name, legacy, and contributions remain forever at the heart of our community.

Thank you for your support.

— The Family of Jim Goodstriker