Youths skate with former NHLers ahead of Jets game to celebrate Indigenous culture

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Approximately 50 Indigenous youth from northern and remote communities participated in activities ahead of the Winnipeg Jets’ annual Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre Night on Saturday.

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The weekend programming, organized by Jets owner True North Sports and Entertainment, offered local youth the chance to engage in sports through the non-profit organization Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre.

Young skaters that hit the ice on Saturday, west of Winnipeg at Camp Manitou, originated from the northern communities of Pauingassi, Bunibonibee, Shamattawa, Northlands Denesuline, Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek) First Nations, and the Métis community of Duck Bay.

Some began by mastering skating fundamentals, while others focused on refining their slapshots.

Neufeld, a former player for the Jets from 1985 to 1988, expressed his passion for imparting new skills to young individuals and serving as a role model for children interested in hockey.

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“You learn a little about their culture too, which is nice. Just the interaction with them, seeing the smiles on their faces and just the enjoyment that they’re having — that’s always the best part for me,” said Neufeld at the rink.

The young participants also took part in cooking sessions and workshops at Camp Manitou centered around nutrition, and mental health and wellness. Such experiences provide valuable skills that youths can share within their communities, as noted by WASAC’s executive director, Trevor LaForte, on Friday.

The sports center has been serving northern communities for nearly twenty years, collaborating with True North for the last seven years to host the annual WASAC Night. Their collaboration included the creation of an Indigenous logo and jersey for the Jets.

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“Those successes are very visible, but there’s many successes that are a little bit under the radar … but they carry enormous weight,” LaForte said.

Winnipeg Jets WASAC jerseys will be auctioned off at Sunday’s game in support of the centre.

Representatives from True North, along with officials from municipal and provincial governments, delivered a cheque exceeding $45,000 to the Indigenous sports organization. This funding will support programs aimed at engaging youth in sports.

Sunday’s game will include performances by the North End Band, Métis fiddle players Morgan Grace and Jason Lepine, Métis country singer Catie St. Germain, Inuit throat singers Nikki Komaksiutiksak and her daughter Chasity Swan, and round dance singers Nathaniel Sinclair from Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and Darryl Buck from Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

— Amanda Beakes is the Assistant Editor and a reporter for the Winnipeg Sun.

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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