SHEGUIANDAH—Jaden Francis and Sheguiandah Chief Jason Aguonie were delighted to greet youth and their parents at the Sheguiandah First Nation Round House to give away $10,000 in gently used hockey equipement donated by off-reserve member Josh Vincent-Collins of Kitchener and his U11A and U13A Lady Rangers team members.
“I always use the hockey season to educate my team on the importance of Truth and Reconciliation, since our season always falls on September 30,” wrote Mr. Vincent-Collins in his letter to the band. “We actively take part in an event for Orange Shirt Day each hockey season. After a trip home to Sheguiandah in August, it was clear to me that our team was going to do something specifically for Sheguiandah. We had teamed up with the Orange Jersey Project who had hooked us up with Orange Every Child Matters jerseys for an exhibition game. We collected gently used hockey equipment, specifically for the Sheguiandah community to enjoy skating, hockey and to help with any players needing equipment for the upcoming Little NHL.”
“I am hoping that with all the new families coming back to the community that we will be able to have our own hockey team next year,” said Ms. Francis. She noted that there has been a great turnout for the giveaway. Young hockey hopefuls have in the past had to join the Little Native Hockey League of neighbouring communities in order to take part in the popular tournament for Indigenous youth.
Mr. Vincent-Collins, a facilities manager in Kitchener in his day job as well as a hockey coach, ensures that his young charges know about Indigenous culture and history.
“We used our game on September 30 to teach our girls that not everyone had been given the same opportunities as them and that thousands of children across Turtle Island were never given an opportunity to play hockey because they were forced into residential schools,” he said. “We wanted to make sure that our players were going to keep having conversations about Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation at home and to continue learning about the Residential school system and its impact that still affects us today.”
“A huge thanks to my U11A Kitchener Lady Ranger team for their effort and commitment to not only helping collect donations, but also their commitment to Truth and Reconciliation,” he said. “As well, huge thanks to the U13A Kitchener Lady Rangers team for helping organize and collect donations and making this day successful.”
Mr. Vincent-Collins went on to offer a chi miigwech to Chief Aguonie and Ms. Francis “for coming all the way to my house to pick up this equipment. We are so happy you were both able to make the drive south and make this possible for the Sheguiandah community.”
