Fred Sasakamoose will be immortalized in Saskatoon.

City council has voted to receive a donation of a statue of one of the first Indigenous NHL players.

A dedication ceremony to reveal the Fred Sasakamoose statue in front of Sasktel Centre, just across from the Gordie Howe statue is tentatively scheduled for October.

The donation is being made by The Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation, Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs and Synergy 8 Community Builders and is estimated to cost $180,000. The city says it will cost less than $250 a year to maintain the statue.

A report from city administration says Sasakamoose was extensively involved in the development of sports programs for Indigenous children and was named a member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame, and a Member of the Order of Canada in 2018.

May 18th, also the day of the release of Fred Sasakamoose’s memoir, has been declared Fred Sasakamoose Day.