As long as I can remember, I've heard and read stories of my ancestry dating back to the Red River Resistance, including a book written about my great-grandma’s family living on a reserve in Northern Manitoba. Families on my dad’s side settled in small Métis towns called St-Malo and St-Pierre-Jolys.

I’ll admit… after hearing about my ancestors’ experiences, I wasn't sure if being Indigenous was good or if it was something I should be ashamed of. In minor hockey, people used to always ask ‘Who is that little native boy on the ice?’ just because I was playing on a boys’ team and had a long braid.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, until I heard some of the things people were saying about other Indigenous people in the community, things I never thought I would hear. Although we spoke regularly in our household about our Métis heritage, it was difficult to express it outside our walls.

After that, I thought if I didn't expose myself as being Indigenous that I wouldn't get bullied or hurt. I buried it away and focused on my real passion—hockey. Every time I stepped on the ice, I wanted to be the best player so one day I could be a role model for other Indigenous athletes with similar experiences.

I lived by the motto “I work hard today to be better for tomorrow.” Carrying that with me, I was able to make the British Columbia roster as a double under-ager for the 2023 Canada Winter Games on Prince Edward Island, and was lucky enough to help Team B.C. win its first-ever gold medal!

That event was a huge moment in my journey; I believe I made a name for Indigenous athletes to show that you can play with everyone.

My journey with Team B.C. has continued for the last two seasons, winning a pair of bronze medals at the U18 Women’s National Championship, getting to serve as captain at the most recent tournament in New Brunswick and being named Top Defender.

I have also won two Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) championships with RHA Kelowna in the Female U18 Prep division, broke the record for most career assists in division history and earned CSSHL Defensive Player of the Year last season.

Oh, and I lived out a dream by getting to wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and win a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Finland. How’s that for a platform for Indigenous athletes!

Through my time with Team B.C., I learned about ISPARC (Indigenous Sports Physical Activity and Recreation Council), which leads the teams that represent the province at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC) every year. In 2023, just a few months after my Canada Games experience, I made my first NAHC appearance in Winnipeg.

I returned for a second tournament in 2024 in Grande Prairie, winning a bronze medal, and earned the Premier’s regional and provincial awards for Indigenous youth excellence in sports.

I made a third trip just a few months ago on home ice in Kamloops, just a couple hours from where I grew up in Osoyoos, getting the honour of being captain again and leading Team B.C. to silver, the best finish in program history.

Those tournaments were amazing experience, both personally and culturally. I felt accepted by opponents, fans, coaches and teammates. They were so, so important in my growth as a hockey player and as an Indigenous athlete.

There’s one story from my NAHC years that will stick with me, and I want to share it. It really drives home why I want to work with the younger generation (which is funny for me to say being only 18!) to truly embrace our culture.

One of my best friends, who is Indigenous, would constantly be reminded by her teammates that she wasn't good enough to play for Team B.C. at the U18 Women’s Nationals. No one cared if she made the ISPARC Team B.C.; to them, it would never be as good as what they considered the “real Team B.C.”

I never hesitated to remind her how skilled of a player she was. It was—and still is—very hard for me to understand how her teammates could not only be so mean, but at the same time talk about Indigenous athletes and the NAHC tournament as a lower form of competition.

Hearing them say that we aren't good enough hockey players just because we were Indigenous was something that didn’t sit well for me. It made me realize that I have to fight for what's right and stop hiding in the shadows.

I am very proud to say that I am a citizen of the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) and that I live on the traditional unceded territory of the Sylix (Okanagan) Nation!

I made a decision to learn more about being Métis. The MNBC staff was welcoming and supported me in learning about my culture and other Indigenous cultures. I was honoured to be sashed by the president of the MNBC and receive two warrior sashes made for me by Métis Elders.

I was invited by the MNBC Board of Directors to speak with government representatives and talk about the mental, physical and emotional challenges that Indigenous athletes have to face. I explained how hard it is to be faced with discrimination just for being Indigenous.

Due to the negative impact, I took a 12-week course with former NHLer Aaron Volpatti to help with my mental health and confidence. He showed me that if I envision what I want to focus on and to not let outside voices get to me, I'll be able to accomplish anything.

This knowledge was very important; I learned that it's okay to speak up and to fight for what's right. I knew I didn't have to hide who I was anymore because I had a whole team of people who would back me up and pick me up if I ever got down. Being a citizen of the MNBC has allowed me to be a role model for Indigenous athletes, proving that there are no limits if you are willing to put in the work.

Alongside the highs and lows of being an Indigenous athlete, I faced another challenge that was out of my control—I have often been overlooked or underestimated because of my height. (I’m 5-foot-2, in case you’re wondering.)

No matter what I did, every mistake and every loss was because I was short. I knew my height would come with challenges, but never did I think a coach would belittle me because of it. I would be told that I cost the team the game, implying that it was because I was too short. During my NCAA recruitment, this coach would always bring up my size as a negative when speaking to other coaches, rather than focusing on my skills.

I’m short…and I can’t do anything about it! I am so lucky to have been able to work with two coaches, Venla Hovi and Kris Hogg, who really took me under their wing and didn't just look past me because of my height.

Venla—a two-time Olympian and Women’s Worlds veteran with Finland—was the first coach who gave me confidence to use my height as an advantage. She saw my potential and worked with me to be comfortable being uncomfortable. She really changed the way I played, for the better. She allowed me to see my height as a strength and as something people wouldn't be able to stop. I was so fortunate to have a strong believer like her on my side.

When I made the move from the Okanagan Hockey Academy to RHA Kelowna, Kris was the coach who encouraged me and supported my growth as a player. He always put me out there to every single college he could, never once saying I was too short to play Division I hockey. He also pushed me past my boundaries on and off the ice, which helped me to break records I wouldn't have thought possible.

It is with the support of Venla and Kris, along with coaches and trainers like Mark Fitzgerald, Jim Liebel, Tyler Liebel, Travis Martell, Derek Ruck, my dad Dean and so many more that I have been able to live my hockey dreams—representing my province, representing my Indigenous community and (the craziest of all) representing my country!

This coming season, I’m proud to have accepted a scholarship to Penn State University to continue my hockey career.

Through my journey I have realized that no matter what, you have to fight for what's right and continue to battle against the hard. I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have had, and I continue to work hard today to be better for tomorrow so that I can make my dreams to represent Canada at the Olympics and play in the PWHL a reality.

My hope is that my journey and story will be an inspiration to young Indigenous athletes, showing them that any boundary is breakable with the right mindset.

There were few—if any—more qualified to lead the Indigenous initiatives at the 2025 TELUS Cup than Hayden Guilderson.

The 28-year-old Chilliwack, B.C., product played minor hockey with the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds as part of a hockey journey that includes stops in the Pacific Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and U SPORTS.

At Canada’s U18 Men’s National Club Championship, Guilderson—a councillor with the Ch’iyáqtel First Nation—ensured that as five teams from across the country joined the host Thunderbirds in his hometown, the local Indigenous community would be front and centre.

HockeyCanada.ca caught up with Guilderson to talk about his role, the initiatives he helped lead during the tournament and what the experience taught him.

HC: How did you get involved with the TELUS  Cup and specifically the Indigenous initiatives?

HG: I was invited to join the TELUS Cup steering committee by a Chilliwack city councillor who saw value in my background: a proud alumnus of the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds and a serving councillor for a local First Nation. Growing up playing hockey in the Fraser Valley, I understood both the sport and its community impact. When given the opportunity, I felt a strong responsibility to ensure our Indigenous presence was not just visible, but impactful. This role allowed me to use my voice and experiences—on and off the ice—to help shape an authentic Indigenous activation that reflected our traditions and strengthened the fabric of the tournament.

HC: Can you tell us about some of the key Indigenous elements you helped bring to life?

HG: Several initiatives brought Indigenous pride to the forefront. Welcome gifts for the players featured commissioned artwork from local Indigenous artists—a symbolic gesture of cultural sharing and respect. Medal ceremony cedar plates, hand‑carved by our community artists, carried cultural meaning onto the podium. Most meaningful was the Dreams Come True program; we provided 15 local Indigenous youth with full Bauer hockey gear and led a special on‑ice skills session for them. That moment embodied why we do this work: to break barriers, create opportunities and inspire the next generation. The looks on their faces reminded me that representation goes beyond symbolism—it changes lives. Finally, I partnered with local Indigenous organizations to ensure community members had access to games and tournament events. Each of these elements was built to be authentic, intentional and inclusive—so everyone involved would feel our presence and pride.

HC: Why was it important for you to be a part of this event and make an impact?

HG: Being part of the TELUS Cup meant showcasing Chilliwack’s deep Indigenous roots on a national stage. With teams and visitors from across Canada in town, I wanted them to feel our city’s warmth and connection to land and culture. It was important that our traditions were woven respectfully into the tournament—whether through ceremony, artwork or community involvement. This wasn’t just about representation; it was about fostering understanding and leaving a legacy that reminds everyone of our enduring presence. I saw this as an opportunity to set a new standard in hockey—one where Indigenous voices are integral, celebrated and honoured.

HC: The hockey community is evolving to celebrate different cultures. What does that mean to you?

HG: Seeing hockey become more inclusive and culturally conscious is both heartwarming and overdue. Growing up, I faced racism and never saw Indigenous culture represented in the sport. The TELUS Cup’s Indigenous activations were part of a broader shift: hockey is beginning to heal, educate and embrace new voices. Whether in tournaments or everyday community rinks, culture is being woven into the fabric of the game. That shift validates the experiences of Indigenous players and fans—showing them they belong and that their heritage is valued. To me, it means hope, growth and transformation—not just for hockey, but for the communities it touches.

HC: What did you learn personally through this experience?

HG: This experience taught me the power of collaboration and intentional leadership. When Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders come together with mutual respect, results can be profound. I witnessed how voices rooted in culture strengthen community events and leave lasting impact. On a personal level, I was reminded of how much representation matters—especially to youth who often go unseen. It also reinforced the importance of patience, cultural diligence and ceremony when integrating traditions. This taught me that authenticity takes time but yields deeper, more meaningful outcomes.

HC: What advice would you give to ED&I leaders looking to be part of future Hockey Canada events?

HG: Show up, speak up and collaborate. Don’t be afraid to propose meaningful change—not token gestures. Bring your culture forward and demand that Indigenous voices be woven into the planning and execution. Build partnerships early, involve Elders and artists in decision-making and prioritize cultural protocols. Be patient; these changes take time, but each step shifts the culture of hockey. Your presence and voice matter—so use them to guide and inspire future change.

HC: If there’s one thing you hope people remember from your work at the TELUS Cup, what would it be?

HG: I hope people remember that Indigenous culture is not an add-on—it’s integral. From artwork and ceremony to youth programming, I wanted the TELUS Cup to be known as a tournament where Indigenous tradition and spirit were genuinely woven into the event’s heart. Above all, I wanted people to see Indigenous kids skating in full gear, proud and included. That image, to me, is powerful and hopeful, and the legacy worth carrying forward.

When the announcement was made that the Rivalry Series would wrap up on the East Coast this year, the brainstorming began for Ryan Francis.

“We saw that there was an opportunity to elevate voices of Indigenous hockey players and people and share their experiences in a very specific context and environment,” says Francis, the Mi’kmaw sport, recreation and physical activity corporate strategist for the Nova Scotian government.

That’s where the Indigenous Hockey Mini Summit was born. In partnership with Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaw, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, the half-day summit had three segments featuring Indigenous players, including Canada’s National Women’s Team defender, Jocelyne Larocque (Métis) and a keynote speech from USA Hockey alumna, Sydney Daniels (Cree).

“For me, being a woman, being Indigenous, I think it’s important for young Indigenous girls to be able to see Indigenous women living their dream, having fun while they’re doing it and working hard,” Larocque says. “It’s important for me to share that message with all youth in the world.”

When Francis approached Larocque with the opportunity to get involved in the mini summit, she was drawn to participate right away. Not only did Larocque do a Q&A at the summit, hosted by TSN’s Kenzie Lalonde, but she also made time for a meet and greet with Hockey Nova Scotia’s Indigenous Girls Hockey Program after the Rivalry Series game in Halifax.

Kenzie Lalonde (left) interviews Jocelyne Larocque during the summit.

For Larocque, representation matters. Anytime she can give back to her community or share experiences to inspire others, she will.

“It’s very important for women playing professional hockey to have that exposure and for young girls to see us having a career playing hockey because I didn’t have that. A lot of my teammates didn’t have that,” Larocque says. “I definitely will always push towards a more inclusive, diverse and equal playing field, whether that’s hockey or anything in life.”

The summit also provided opportunities for informal conversations with speakers, like Larocque. Jordan Dawe-Ryan recalls one little girl sitting around a table eating breakfast alongside Larocque before the summit began and having a chance to ask the veteran blue-liner any questions she had.

“The girl’s happiness just shone right through the experience she had,” says Dawe-Ryan, the active living community coordinator at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. “With all the momentum that has been growing with woman’s hockey worldwide […] it’s amazing that they could sit down together, like two friends, and talk about who they are, what their goals are and their journey along the way.”

Erin Denny, who is in her fifth year playing at Saint Mary’s University, participated on the Mi’kmaw players’ panel at the summit. The 23-year-old feels she has grown into a role model and really takes pride in that role.

“As I transition out of my hockey career and more into that role, I think it’s really important to share my story and my thoughts on everything so there can be more success for Indigenous youth,” Denny says.

Sara-Lynne Knockwood (left), Erin Denny and Chad Denny during the Mi'kmaw players' panel.

Like Larocque, Denny says representation can open doors for youth, and having an Indigenous role model for Indigenous youth to look up to can make a huge difference in their lives.

“Especially as a minority group, seeing someone that is similar to you, lives a similar life and has the same struggles as you, I feel like it can make a world of a difference for youth,” Denny says. “Being in this position, I think it’s really important that I continue to share my experiences and be an outlet for youth if they have questions or want advice.”

There were additional events connected to the mini summit, such as a pizza dinner and poster-making night at the Friendship Centre before the Rivalry Series game. The Friendship Centre also provided smudging kits as the Player of the Game awards in Halifax. Despite some winter weather causing power outages in the city the morning of the summit, the event was a big success.

“It’s important to create that space, and when you do create that space and have it in an environment that people feel safe and comfortable, there can be really powerful discussions and perspectives that get brought forward that will help move conversations amongst decision-makers,” Francis says.

With such a positive response from participants, organizers are already brainstorming for another event in the future—this time expanding from a mini summit to a full, multi-day summit.

“Another one will be on the way and we’re hoping to make it even bigger and better the next time,” Dawe-Ryan says. “[We want to] provide more opportunities, provide more spaces for us to share our culture and have these safe spaces where we can interact, engage and really be our true, vulnerable selves in these spaces.”

While Canada today recognizes the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour the children, survivors, families and communities affected by residential schools, the day has long held significant meaning for the Indigenous community.

Since 2013, Sept. 30 has been Orange Shirt Day, which was started by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad. She wore an orange shirt on her first day at the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in the fall of 1973, which was taken from her by staff.

“The color orange has always reminded me of … how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared,” Webstad shared at OrangeShirtDay.org.

Webstad launched the Orange Shirt Society “to be able to tell my story so that others may benefit and understand, and maybe other survivors will feel comfortable enough to share their stories.”

Last year, the Orange Shirt Society expended into the sporting community with the creation of the Orange Jersey Project, with Webstad’s son, Jeremy Boston, serving as project manager. According to the website, the project was born out of an idea – “What if we could use the power of sport to serve as a vehicle toward educating today’s young athletes about the history of the Indian Residential School System and strengthen the path toward truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.”

As part of that education, each jersey features a QR code that links to an online platform that will help children discover the history of residential schools, with the goal to encourage learning, engagement, sharing and activities.

The project began with hockey jerseys during the 2021-22 season, more than 20,000 of which have been distributed to hundreds of teams from coast to coast to coast over the last two seasons.

Last season, the Orange Jersey Project partnered with the Western Hockey League (WHL), with all teams wearing a special WHL Truth and Reconciliation logo in early October 2022. (Teams will do so again this season, beginning today.) In addition, 11 teams wore special-edition orange jerseys during warmups prior to games in February 2023, which were later auctioned off.

At the conclusion of the campaign, $22,500 was donated to the Orange Jersey Project, funds that will go towards providing more minor hockey teams with their own orange jerseys.

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, HockeyCanada.ca caught up with Boston to discuss the Orange Jersey Project, continuing his mother’s passion project and what the future holds.

Where did the idea for the Orange Jersey Project come from?

The Orange Jersey Project was created by Tyler Fuller, an Indigenous male from Kawacatoose First Nation in Saskatchewan who played pro hockey in the Central Hockey League (CHL) and International Hockey League (IHL). The idea of the Orange Jersey Project was born from an idea that came while Tyler and his wife Amanda were watching the news when the remains of the 215 children who were students of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc were uncovered.

Tyler and Amanda came up with the idea to design a hockey jersey as a way to inform people about residential school survivors and victims. Tyler contacted Chief Willie Sellars of Williams Lake First Nation and asked for his guidance. Chief Sellars directed Tyler to Phyllis Webstad, the founder of the Orange Shirt Society, who introduced Tyler to the OSS executive director, who helped get the ball rolling.

Why was it important for the Orange Shirt Society to expend into sports?

Sports, such as hockey, are a great vessel for all Indigenous and non-Indigenous to come together to learn the real history of Canada. The Orange Shirt Society is designed to encourage action for truth and reconciliation and can help educate athletes about the history of the residential school system in Canada. The Orange Shirt Society works to create awareness of the intergenerational impacts of residential schools and the concept of Every Child Matters.

Why is this project important to your family and to the Indigenous community?

Four generations of my family have attended residential schools. My great-grandmother Lena Jack, my grandmother Rose Wilson and my mother Phyllis Webstad attended residential schools. I attended the last operational school in Canada in 1996. It is important for the path of healing and new beginnings in a Canada we all love. To overcome barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous to become one and come together as we continue to educate and learn together on our path for truth and reconciliation.

How can interested teams get their orange jerseys?

Beginning today, teams can visit OrangeJerseyProject.ca to register and request orange practice jerseys, as well as the curriculum program, at no cost, while supplies last.

Once teams have received their jerseys, they’re encouraged to choose several practices throughout the season dedicated to wearing the jerseys and spending a few minutes acknowledging the Treaty Lands upon which they are playing and the Indigenous Peoples who reside there. We also invite teams to participate in team-building activities off the ice to work through the curriculum together.

Hockey was first … which sports are next?

Currently our main focus is hockey, but we are planning to expand into other sports beginning sometime in 2024.

Tommy Williams was a man of the people in the Northwest Territories. Not only in his various roles throughout a long career in government, but also at the hockey rink.

“He was an amazing man … so passionate about the game and he really put his heart into hockey,” says Pamela Williams, Tommy’s wife of 32 years. “He cared so much about people, and he wanted to teach every kid the love he shared for the game and the joy of the sport.”

Williams died last August at 60 years old, after a battle with cancer. He left an impact on the community through his love for his family, the game of hockey, his Métis heritage and trying to make a difference for Northern youth.

He was a goaltender for 48 years, playing until he no longer physically could, even after getting knee and hip replacements.

His daughter Aurora always remembers him being involved in hockey from an early age.

“He coached me throughout my childhood, and he was always a favourite coach for the players,” she says. “He was a fun guy and made friends everywhere around the rink. Everyone respected him and he had a big impact on all of us.”

His passion for hockey was obvious to his family, including Pamela. Being at the rink is what made Tommy happy – it didn’t matter if he was playing, coaching or just watching games.

“He wanted to be a professional hockey player and he would always spend any free time at the rink,” Pamela says. “He played in rec leagues and old-timer leagues and would watch his kids and grandkids play at home and away at tournaments in different cities.”

Tommy played at different levels, reaching the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers as the back-up to former NHLer Kelly Hrudey. He enjoyed his time, but always felt pulled to the North and how he could grow the game and support Indigenous Peoples in his own community.

“He played such an important role model for so many Indigenous youth. He was proud of who he was, and he could connect and understand what those kids were going through,” says Aurora. “The kids he coached over the years still share how much of an impact he had on them.”

James easily fell into his dad’s footsteps with an early love for the game. He was coached from a young age by his dad, and he learned a lot about the game – on and off the ice – from him and used those lessons as he continued his playing career.

James left home at age 14 to play Junior A hockey in Summerside, P.E.I., with the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Hockey League. He played a couple years of university hockey as well before returning home for good, but continued to play in the same recreational leagues his dad used to play in.

“He always wanted what was best for me and my sister,” James says. “When I moved away and felt homesick, he pushed me to do my best and he believed in me. Now that I’m back in Inuvik, I play in the same leagues he used to, and people still know who he was and what he meant to the hockey community.”

Like his dad, James had the opportunity to coach Team NWT at the Canada Winter Games in 2023, something his dad did in 2007.

Tommy was a person that easily made connections with people, particularly through the national game. One year, when no one stepped up to coach a U18 team, Tommy agreed to take the reins.

“This is one of my favourite stories about my dad,” James says. “He did what no one else wanted to do and those kids grew up to be leaders in their communities. He was proud to be Indigenous and he wanted to provide opportunities for others in the North.”

When Tommy died, those players shared with the Williams family how he helped them off the ice as much as he did on it.

The impact Tommy left on the community is vast. On top of being the president and CEO of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, he also opened a sports equipment store in Inuvik so more Indigenous youth could get involved in hockey. He never believed that just because a family couldn’t afford to play shouldn’t mean they couldn’t play, and helped create a fund to help cover fees for players.

“He just wanted kids from the North to have the same advantage as the kids in the south,” says James. “He was a public servant by trade, and he understood that role, but he also understood the need to give back through sports.”

Before he died, the community honoured Tommy for his contributions to the game by retiring his Mad Trappers jersey at the Ed Jeske Olympic Arena in town, a moment that meant a lot to the Williams family.

“He was so honoured and emotional to see that recognition,” Aurora says. “I still get emotional when I go to the rink and see his jersey. We are all so proud to see that recognition.”

Hockey will always be a part of their lives as James, Aurora and her husband Bryon all play in the rec leagues in Inuvik, and four of Aurora’s children play. Knowing how much Tommy loved the game, they want to continue to carry his legacy for their kids, but also youth in their communities.

“He was a wonderful man that shared his passion of hockey with everyone,” Pamela says. “He was taken way too soon, but we had a good life.”

A representation of unity will be front and centre during the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship thanks to a collaboration between two local Indigenous artists.

Brandy Jones is an Inuit artist who moved to Regina from British Columbia when she was 12 years old. Her work involves mixed mediums of native arts, representing unity among all Indigenous peoples. Rodger W. Ross is of Métis/Cree descent and a member of the George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan. He is a multi-disciplined artist and an international award-winning documentary film producer, whose career spans four decades.

Read on to learn more about Player of the Game artwork. Answers have been slightly edited for clarity and length.

Hockey Canada (HC): How did this collaboration come together for the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship?

Rodger Ross (RR): I've worked with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the past. I did a cultural presentation to them first, and then I created an orange shirt design for them. When the situation came up with the World Para Hockey Championship, one of the ladies that I worked with reached out and gave my information. […] Seeing how Brandy’s [art form] works so well for these forms, it just seemed like a perfect collaboration. So, when I was asked [who I would recommend], she was the first name [I suggested].

Brandy Jones (BJ): Rodger has always been a very big support of my work. Not just on giving me advice, but sometimes when it comes to collaboration with the work as well, there's things that he sees in my work as I'm going along. He has a very good eye for it. For example, in the hockey helmet, at first it was connected to the feather that was attached there. And he was like, “You should put a white line to separate that.” That's something that I hadn't even seen yet. I'm always willing to work with Rodger because he always has the coolest jobs… I'm always very happy to oblige.

Captain Marc-André Plante and squadron aircraft maintenance engineering officer Nadia Kang of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds present Dominic Cozzolino with the player of the game award on May 29, 2023.

HC: What is the inspiration behind the design of the Player of the Game artwork?

RR: When we first got approached, I wanted to know more about the game because I haven't watched a lot of [para hockey]. But I've watched some para hockey, and I'm so impressed by it, because I'm a former hockey player as well. […] When I'm watching these players and how they move, the power that they have and that constant flow of energy, that to me had to be the centerpiece. […] The first thing I wanted was that hockey player in the middle, and I wanted that movement because Brandy’s art form works with that movement so well. And then I thought the best way to have the country's representatives is through their flags. […] Having the Métis flag, the Saskatchewan flag, the Treaty 4 flag, obviously the Canada flag is represented in the logo itself—to me, those seemed like the natural elements.

BJ: I think it's perfect the way that it came out. It’s the design for me that just feels like it represents Canada.

HC: Brandy, you also created another artwork for event stakeholders. What was the inspiration behind that piece?

BJ: It's a Thunderbird. Sometimes it's hard for people to decipher that type of work. Some people see it right away, and then other times people are looking in there thinking, “What is that?” That is something that Rodger and I had discussed. We had looked at the Four Directions and what represented each of those directions. For me, I really tried hard to mix those animals together. But I was finding that very hard to do at the time. I tried to just look at what I thought was the most powerful out of all four of those. I did add a bear in there as well, within the body. But for some reason, it was the Thunderbird that really stuck out to me, because there are bringers of the thunder. It’s kind of as simple as that it, it was the animal that I thought was the most powerful and stood out the most to represent what we were doing at the time.

HC: This is the first time the World Para Hockey Championship has been hosted in Canada. How does it feel knowing your contribution will be associated with the legacy of the event?

BJ: That’s so hard to answer because it just feels really incredible. There's no other way to describe it other than that; it's beautiful being able to represent like my country and also the province that I live in. It was definitely a labour of love, and I could not be happier.

RR: For me, it's always about relationships, and as far as Indigenous inclusion, any time that that I get invited to allow our voices to be heard, to allow our people to be represented, it's always going to be a great honour. But I also look at it as an obligation to reconciliation. […] It makes me feel very, very proud to be able to participate at this level, to be in an international event, and to be a part of that. For Brandy and I to be invited to hand out that award between the United States and Canada, with the world watching, I think is a pretty powerful statement of, “We haven't gone anywhere, and we're not going anywhere,” We're here, and we have beautiful cultures among us. It’s time that our voices be heard.

Keyanna Lea has been doing a lot of winning lately, both on the ice and behind the bench.

The 21-year-old from Berens River First Nation won the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League (MWJHL) championship with the Prairie Blaze this past April and was named playoff MVP after registering 13 points (7-6—13) in eight playoff games.

Just over a month later, Lea was an assistant coach with Team Manitoba as it took home a gold medal at the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) in Membertou, Nova Scotia. It was Lea’s first time coaching the provincial team after winning back-to-back gold medals as a player in 2017 and 2018.

“It was definitely a different perspective for me. Going back there was an unreal experience because last time I was there I was playing (in 2018) and we won the gold,” Lea says. “It was hard for me to transition with the nerves and the feelings more so because I was feeling what the girls were feeling but as a coach, you don’t want to show the emotions. Being a coach was definitely a humbling experience and let me tell you, being in that gold medal game, it was so hard to be a coach because all you want to do is go out there and play yourself, but the girls made my job easy by doing what was asked of them from the coaching staff.”

Lea’s hockey odyssey has been interesting, to say the least.

After suiting up for the Varsity Prep team at Balmoral Hall in her Grade 11 year in 2016-17, Lea and her twin sister Keyara were approached to move to Boston to play for the Shamrocks in the Junior Women’s Hockey League (JWHL), the same league that Balmoral Hall plays in. Keyanna had a solid 2017-18 season for Boston, scoring 11 goals and adding four assists in 22 games.

Following high school graduation in 2018-19, the sisters were close to committing to play for the University of Manitoba, but they ended up going back to the JWHL to play for the New England Hockey Club.

They returned to Winnipeg after one season in New England and Lea was offered a job as a support worker with Shawenim Abinoojii, a not-for-profit organization in Riverton, Man., that works with First Nations children and families.

She plans on playing one more year with the Blaze, but knows her elite playing days are numbered – hence the transition to coaching.

“After the coaching experience at NAHC, I’ve realized that I do fit in this kind of area so I would love to pursue coaching more. With my job, I’m able to set time aside.” she says.

Lea gives full credit to Dale Bear, her head coach with the Blaze and the long-time head coach of Team Manitoba at the NAHC, for not only encouraging her to pursue coaching, but for the tremendous impact he has had on her hockey career, both on and off the ice.

Lea had previously helped Bear with Team Manitoba tryouts as an on-ice instructor and bench coach, so when he asked Lea to be his assistant coach, the decision to accept was not a hard one.

“Kind of since Day 1, (Dale) has been someone that I have looked up to in terms of him allowing me to be the player that I wanted to be,” Lea says. “He listened to me. He gave me constructive criticism. He gave me the feedback that I needed as a player and as a person. I have always felt close to him. He has always been there for me. It’s hard for me to look at him as a coach because of the things he has done for me in my hockey career and in life. He brought me to my full potential.”

Bear has always seen natural leadership qualities in Lea, which is one of the reasons he nudged her to get behind the bench this past season.

“Keyanna always talked about giving back so I brought up coaching with her and she jumped at the opportunity,” Bear says. “Keyanna displays great leadership when she plays, and that type of leadership is what we want in our coaches that coach in our program. She is very focused, but most of all she has a big heart and knows exactly what is going through these young players' minds, which is a huge benefit for our players and myself having her on the bench.”

Lea has her Coach 1 certification through the National Coach Certification Program, and she plans on obtaining her Coach 2 certification this coming season. She was recently approached to coach a U9 team in Riverton next season.

“I would love to go back home and provide an experience for those young kids like I had,” she says. “Hockey has taken me as a player everywhere, so wherever the coaching may take me, if it’s in the Interlake, in Manitoba, wherever it takes me, I would go.”

To say that hockey has come full circle for Lea would be cliché, but also accurate, as she focuses on the next chapter of her hockey career and giving back to her community.

“Keyanna takes a lot of pride in her Indigenous ancestry and displays hard work and a great attitude,” Bear says. “These traits are exactly what we want to instill in our young Indigenous athletes. In most cases Indigenous players feel left out or intimidated to attend tryouts/camps, but with more Indigenous coaches this will help bring more Indigenous players to programs that didn't really have that diversity on their teams or leagues.”

Trenton Morriseau says games like the Orange Wave Night are special, but he knows healing — and growth — when it comes Indigenous relations in Canada is a process.

Morrisseau’s junior hockey team — the Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) — hosted the inaugural Orange Wave Night on March 12 at Norwest Arena in Oliver Paipoonge, Ont., which celebrated Indigenous culture and traditions.

Members of the Fighting Walleye wore one-time orange design jerseys, sponsored by Jason Thompson and his company, Warrior Supplies and Engineering. The colour orange has become a symbol of the Indigenous movement. According to the team, the mission is to “celebrate diversity, promote cultural awareness and support the Indigenous community through sport.”

The game-worn jerseys were auctioned off and the money raised – more than $10,000 – went towards post-secondary scholarships for graduating Indigenous players.

Nineteen-year-old Morriseau, who was born and raised in Fort William First Nation, says the hard work by everyone in the Walleye organization and the sponsors to put this event together will go a long way.

“It’s really important to celebrate our culture with our community of Oliver Paipoonge,” he says. “You know, it’s just the step in the right direction for reconciliation and healing for Aboriginal people.”

While Morriseau is in his second year with the Walleye, a franchise started in 2020, this campaign was his first full one with the club after a large part of the 2020-21 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morriseau is a graduate of the Thunder Bay Kings AAA program who finished the 2021-22 season ninth in SIJHL scoring with 21 goals and 29 assists.

He admits he would be lying if he didn’t encounter prejudice while moving up the hockey ladder.

“At some point, every Indigenous person is going to experience some kind of racism,” says the 5-foot-10 forward. “It’s our job to try and educate people and you know, tell them like what’s right. And it’s not their fault, what they hear at home from their parents and stuff either, right? So lots of times, they’re just good kids, and they’re just kind of repeating what they hear at home. You know what I mean? So it’s just it’s our job to educate them. We just have to keep that in mind.”

The opening ceremony of Orange Wave Night included an Indigenous drum group featuring Ron Kanutski, the Fort William First Nations Little NHL Team and special dignitaries within the community.

Dignitaries consisted of Aaron Kakapetum (senior commercial account manager of Indigenous banking, RBC); Trevor Iserhoff (director of inclusion and diversity, SIJHL); Colin Campbell (co-owner, Kam River Fighting Walleye); Jason Thompson (owner and founder, Warrior Supplies and Engineering); Chief Peter Collins (Fort William First Nation); Grand Chief Derek Fox (Nishnawbe First Nation); and Beatrice Hynnes (Ojibway anthem singer).

The Fighting Walleye capped off the celebratory evening with a win, coming from behind to down the visiting Dryden Ice Dogs 3-2 thanks to a game-winner from Morriseau with just 3:45 left.

As a hockey player, Creighton Sanipass often noticed a lack of Indigenous representation in the game. As a coach, he hopes to do something about it.

Through the Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program, Sanipass is part of the New Brunswick coaching staff for the 2023 Canada Winter Games.

He wants to serve as a role model for young Indigenous athletes who may have had similar experiences with underrepresentation.

“I hope that Indigenous athletes see that there are opportunities to get involved and help the future generation of athletes get the chances that they rightfully deserve,” says Sanipass. “I am proud to be Mi’kmaq. Our culture has a history with the sport and it’s not just by chance that Indigenous hockey players feel so comfortable on the ice – it’s in our blood.”

Sanipass learned to skate at the age of two and began playing minor hockey at four. His father, Everett, played 164 NHL games during a six-year pro career and represented Canada at the 1987 IIHF World Junior Championship, so hockey was always a part of his life. The 6-foot-2 forward played in the Maritime Hockey League (MHL) with the Valley Wildcats and St. Stephen County Aces and in the New Brunswick Junior Hockey League (NBJHL) for the Tri-County River Cats, finishing with 21 points in 21 games in his final season.

Now, learning a different side of the game as a coach, he’s honoured to be participating in the program and wants others to do the same.

“I hope that more Indigenous coaches become involved and become a face for Indigenous hockey players to look up to and strive to be,” he says.

In addition to his role on New Brunswick’s U16 team, Sanipass was also part of the coaching staff with Team Atlantic at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Nova Scotia in May.

Off the ice, Sanipass is a university student majoring in criminology and works for Aboriginal Sport and Recreation New Brunswick.

“I’ve always wanted to have a job where I could help give opportunities to Indigenous youth that weren’t around when we were young,” he says. “Seeing Indigenous youth thrive makes it all worthwhile.”

It will be his first time attending the Canada Games, and he is excited to experience all the event has to offer, including the mentorship he’s receiving from more established coaches.

The Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program provides up to two coaches per Canada Games from each province and territory the opportunity to develop their coaching skills. The program’s objectives include building coaching capacity within Aboriginal communities and providing coaches with professional development and learning opportunities for high-level coaching.

Sanipass will continue to absorb all he can on the road to Games, which are scheduled for Feb. 18 to March 5 across P.E.I., and beyond. He credits the sport with teaching him invaluable life skills and hopes he can pass that wisdom on to future players.

“I want to be an example. You can take everything that you have learned through your experiences and give back to the next generation. Up-and-coming athletes deserve the opportunities that might not have been around when we were younger, and we can be the reason that they are able to fulfill their potential.”

When tragedy struck one of their own, the hockey community in Brampton came together.

Last December, Amy St. John, a 12-year-old goaltender for the U15 Brampton Canadettes, was seriously injured when she was struck and dragged by a school bus on her way to school.

Paramedics rushed her to Toronto Sick Kids Hospital, but she was transferred to St. Mike’s Hospital due to the extent of her injuries. Amy suffered a crushing injury to the back of her pelvis and significant nerve damage to her left leg, and needed reconstructive surgery.

When Tina Kelloway, vice-president of the Brampton Canadettes Girls Hockey Association (BCGHA), heard about Amy’s accident, she reached out to Amy’s mom, Joelle, right away to see how the association could support the St. John family.

“I was absolutely heartbroken and just thinking about it still makes me want to cry,” Kelloway says. “I’ve known Amy for years as she came up through our house league divisions and hockey was always a joy for her – she adored playing and she always has a smile on her face when she came to the rink.

“I can’t begin to imagine the trauma Amy was going through and what her family had to go through with her. It was such a horrendous event.”

Amy is the youngest of five children. With the accident, Joelle has been unable to work in order to care for her daughter.

With the significant financial strain to the family, as well as the extent of physiotherapy and care that Amy needed right after the accident and into the future, the Canadettes quickly came together to figure out a way to help.

“Another mom and I started the fundraising page, but asked the league to step in to help build awareness,” says Jill Hartling, the Canadettes team manager. “The girls were shocked and devastated for what happened to Amy and the team just wanted to jump on board and help her.”

Over the Christmas period, the team put together a gift basket with beauty products and arts and craft materials for Amy to help life her spirits.

“Amy was home at the time when we dropped that basket off and it was nice to talk with her and see how she was doing,” says Hartling. “The team rallied around the St. John family and they were always thinking of Amy this season.”

The league previously held a fundraiser in 2018 for another player who needed help after an accident and used that experience to build awareness for Amy and her family. Every spring, the BCGHA holds its annual Easter Tournament, which is one of the largest girls’ hockey tournaments in the world. This year, it included 380 teams.

Through that tournament, the Canadettes held a silent auction with various pieces of sports memorabilia, and shared Amy’s story to create awareness for donations.

“The majority of teams that participated in the tournament provided a donation or silent auction bids,” says Kelloway. “The vast support we and Amy received from the community was nice to see. We raised a lot of money for Amy’s recovery through the silent auction and donations.”

Donations came in from players, teams and anonymous donors across the Greater Toronto Area. Throughout the past few months, the league and the family has felt the power of the hockey community.

“This has shown just how amazing the hockey world is. The hockey community is incredible … how everyone comes together to rally to help others,” Kelloway says. “It is overwhelming how generous teams, players and families have been. You can see through the donations how supportive and encouraging everyone has been towards someone they may have never interacted with before. The generosity everyone has shown is incredible. After the last couple of years with the pandemic, this story shows the positive and caring side of community and that’s refreshing.”

While Amy has shown strength and determination in her recovery, her prognosis is still unknown. Kelloway and the BCGHA are hoping the funds raised will help the family in any way they need it.

In a written statement, Joelle shared how much everything has meant to her and the family: “As a mother going through one the hardest times, I am overwhelmed by the love and support of the Canadettes and how without hesitation, they rallied around my kids and I. When you have a child recovering from this type of accident, everything changes, and your child’s recovery must take priority. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.”

The fundraiser for Amy St. John is still ongoing and will remain open to donations.

Do you have an idea for a Community story? Let’s hear it!