Cranbrook hosted an Indigenous youth hockey camp over the weekend, offering young players from across the Kootenays a chance to build skills, connect with mentors and take part in community-based programming.
The 11th annual Kootenays Indigenous Youth Hockey Camp welcomed children ages six to 17 for three days of programming, held July 17 to 19.
“It’s about bringing kids together to learn about physical literacy, to learn hockey skills. To gather as a community, and to have a lot of mentorship, to have mentorship for the indigenous youth,” said Amy Cross, Consultant, Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC).
Kids on the ice during camp. (Photo Credit: Caitlyn Peesker)
The three-day camp featured on- and off-ice training and skill development with local coaches and the Jr. Canucks Community Clinics Staff.
The Vancouver Canucks were a major sponsor, and Canucks legend and former goalie Kirk McLean took part in Friday’s (July 17) floor hockey activities.
Fin the Whale was also there and shared some laughs with the kids.
Vancouver Canucks mascot “Fin the Whale” at Western Financial Place on July 17 with the camp. (Photo Credit: Caitlyn Peesker)
“A huge thank you to them for partnering with us because, you know, support provincially is just so important and kids have something to aspire to; I think it is awesome, so important,” adds Cross.
The head coach of the camp was Dustin Auger, who has worked closely with the community of Cranbrook and has coached hockey for many years.
Alex Hendrickson, head coach of Women’s Team BC at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC), also helped support the camp.
Youths during camp. (Photo Credit: Caitlyn Peesker)
She is a Development 1 Certified Coach who has spent four years coaching with Team BC at the NAHC, helping lead her teams to impressive success, including two bronze medals and one silver medal.
“So, having her on the ice is just so important. One for the female side, so we’re able to increase the awareness within our female hockey community, and two to create mentorship and role modelling within our community,” said Cross.
Local coach Marise Larios, from Purcell Hockey Academy, volunteered her time for the camp.
The camp aims to bring Indigenous youth together to sharpen their hockey skills, partake in mentorship and make friends.
Kids on the ice during camp. (Photo Credit: Caitlyn Peesker)
“There are a lot of barriers when it comes to indigenous peoples. So financial barriers, barriers to access high-level coaching,” adds Cross.
“So indigenous youth can be together, they can have positive mentorship, and role modelling.”
Ninety kids attended the free camp over three days at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook.
“That’s gonna be a memory that they’re gonna have for a long time,” adds Cross.
The organizations involved in putting on the camp included the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC), Jr Canucks Community Clinics, the City of Cranbrook, Purcell Collegiate School, Kootenay Hockey Academy, Pacific Sport Columbia Basin and Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC).
To learn more about Métis Nation British Columbia, click here.
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