Terence Tootoo Memorial Tournament - March 2023

Updated: Mar 31, 2023

Intro

March marked a significant moment for the SGP team as we headed back to Rankin Inlet to document one final trip for the Jordin Tootoo documentary. We returned to capture the Terence Tootoo Memorial Tournament, which took place for the first time in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roundup

Despite not having played organized hockey in what we’d call “a long time,” director, Michael Hamilton, suited up and played alongside Jordin on "Team Tootoo", ultimately bringing home gold! A minor injury to Jordin's eye produced some major tension in the arena for a time, but he would ultimately recover like the true warrior he is. The tournament was an amazing experience, and the Tootoo family and the community of Rankin Inlet were incredibly welcoming and hospitable as usual.

The Tootoo family has been an integral part of the documentary, and they have been incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. The final production trip to Rankin Inlet was an opportunity for the team to once again immerse ourselves in the culture and community that has shaped Jordin Tootoo's life. The tournament brought together teams from across the region to compete in honour of Terence Tootoo's memory. It was an emotional event, but also one that brought the community together in a celebration of life, hockey, and charity.

The team and I have been fortunate enough to be involved in the creation of many great documentary projects and Tootoo is shaping up to be as powerful and special as anything else we have ever produced. It will not only showcase Jordin Tootoo's incredible hockey career but also provide a glimpse into the challenges Jordin has faced and the resilience he has shown in overcoming them.

The trip to Rankin Inlet was a very memorable experience for me. I was able to take a bit more time to truly appreciate the community, and although the weather and way of life in Rankin is tough, the warmth and hospitality of the community are truly special, and I can't wait to share this incredible documentary with the world. The team and I have worked tirelessly to capture the essence of Jordin Tootoo's life and the community that has shaped him. We hope that Tootoo will inspire others and shed light on the important issues that Jordin has worked hard to raise awareness for.