The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is proud to honour Sue Heddle of Oakville, Ontario, with the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2026 Proudly Presented by REALTOR.ca, for her inspiring efforts to advance reconciliation by expanding the horizons of Canadian youth.
<iframe width="100%" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NlkFTIgd8iY?si=0WksvQqLlHt3vMf-" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>When she’s not serving her clients as a REALTOR® and salesperson with Century 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd., Sue can be found dedicating her time as the Founder of Hockey Cares, a reconciliation project she launched in 2017 through True North Aid.
Hockey Cares brings together youth ages 13 to 15 from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities where participants learn about each other’s cultures and connect through their shared love of hockey. Since its inception, youth from Oakville, Attawapiskat, Constance Lake First Nation, and, most recently, St. Catharines in Ontario, and Kugaaruk in Nunavut, have all participated.
Inspired by her mother to be involved in community, Heddle’s years of volunteering began to evolve into reconciliation efforts as she learned more about the disparities faced by many northern Indigenous communities through news media and online discourse.
Already compelled to help, Heddle was further inspired by Gord Downie of Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip, when he put out the 2016 call for Canadians to do something to advance reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples.
Following Downie’s call to action and in doing her own research about how to best affect change, she came across the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s sixth principle of reconciliation which reads, “All Canadians, as Treaty peoples, share responsibility for establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships.” In reading this principle, she recognized an opportunity to make a meaningful difference through hockey—sparking what would become Hockey Cares.
“I knew that we could use hockey as a common language to bring youth together,” explained Heddle.
Each Hockey Cares exchange takes the form of a hockey camp. Exchange begins with Indigenous youth travelling to southern Ontario, followed by a return visit to the northern partner community months later. Outside the rink, youth are immersed in shared experiences, such as excursions, meals and cultural events.
“I can’t wait to see [the people from St. Catherines] because they’re really awesome,” shared Jeslyn Apsaktaun of Kugaaruk, Nunavut, who traveled to St. Catharines this past February. “We’re probably going to go fishing when they come.”
When an exchange ends, its impact is only beginning. Many of the participants remain connected between communities, rooted in the bonds they developed during the program. Thanks to activities planned by volunteers in both communities, participants often leave the experience with new understanding and perspectives.
“It definitely changed what I want to do,” said former participant Charlotte Bolduc of Oakville, Ontario. “I now want to work above the 50th parallel in helping improve health outcomes for northern communities.”
For youth from northern Indigenous communities, the exchanges also open doors to future education pathways.
“We don’t want them to leave their community,” explained Heddle. “They have to leave to get the skills, but then they can take those skills back to their communities and help their community.”
To make these experiences unforgettable, Heddle works tirelessly with partners such as True North Aid and Experiences Canada, as well as a volunteer committee that shares her passion for working with the next generation to advance reconciliation.
“That reputation she’s built as a REALTOR® has really helped Hockey Cares,” explained Lisa Mazzocato, Director of Operations at True Noth Aid. “Now she’s able to go back to those relationships she’s built, explain what this program is, and get them on board.”
Affectionately known as “Mama Sue”, Heddle is seen as more than a program founder, but also a trusted mentor the participants can turn to who is deeply invested in their well-being and future.
“The heart, you cannot learn that. That’s god’s gift to her that she was blessed with in bringing kids together,” said Chief Richard Allen of Constance Lake First Nation.
Nearly a decade after founding Hockey Cares, Heddle’s commitment has never wavered. She continues to lead with the same passion and purpose that first inspired her to act, working toward her goal of expanding the program nationally, so more communities across Canada can connect.
“All these kids I feel are my kids,” said Heddle. “So, when I hear that they are thriving, that they’re doing well, that they had a goal and they’ve achieved that goal, it makes me very proud.”
In Sue Heddle’s honour, CREA has donated $10,000 to True North Aid.
Click here to see the 48 REALTORS® nominated for the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2026.
