M’CHIGEENG—Friends, family and Manitoulin community members were on hand with cheers of support and signs encouraging and welcoming the members of the Ottawa 67’s hockey team to the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (OCF) in M’Chigeeng First Nation this past Saturday. The welcome was for all the members of the 67’s team but especially for its young defenceman, Kohyn Eshkawkogan, a M’Chigeeng band member who is in his first year with the team.
“It’s a cool experience to see all the support,” Kohyn told The Expositor.
The team visited the OCF, along with Bridal Veil Falls in Kagawong and the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands. The team was on a Northern Ontario run in their schedule, having played in North Bay on Thursday, Sault Ste. Marie on Friday and then in Sudbury on Sunday afternoon.
“We have several special individuals, leaders in the community here today,” said Kevin Eshkawkogan (Kohyn’s father) prior to the team taking part in a smudging ceremony and prayer provided by Elder and Knowledge Keeper Josh Eshkawkogan in the OCF building.
“Welcome to M’Chigeeng,” stated Glen Hare, executive director of OCF to the 67’s team. He explained he was born and raised in M’Chigeeng and was a former chief and council in the community, then continued his political career with the Anishinabek Nation as Ontario Regional Chief. “I’m excited you guys are here today and it is so awesome when one of our community members makes it to this level of the OHL.” He said that unlike big cities, smaller communities like those on Manitoulin don’t have the resources available for youngsters like the cities do.
Morgan Hare, M’Chigeeng chief, said “It is an honour and a pleasure to be here today to welcome all of you. I’m a fan,” he said, noting he had lived in Ottawa for 30 years and had cheered for the 67’s.
“I am really glad you are here today, to meet you and for Kohyn and his father to show all of you around our community and the Island,” said Chief Hare. “We our big followers of your team, especially with Kohyn on the team now. I hope you win all the rest of your games this year, and it is an honour for us to have you here in our community.”
Father and son, Kevin and Josh Eshkawkogan, hosted the smudging ceremony and a prayer for all members of the team. “We are going to smudge all of you today, using some of the medicines we use in our culture,” said Kevin, noting “our bodies are our shells and it is important to cleanse our shells every day.”
“We all have to have a way to daily clear all our minds of things we don’t want to hear, and find the positive energy from within ourselves,” said Josh.
Patsy Corbiere, chief of the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation noted, “We are very proud of Kohyn being on the 67’s team. Hopefully your team will do very good this season. Hockey is definitely one of the healthy things young people can do.”
Josh Eshkawkogan, Kohyn’s grandfather and a traditional knowledge keeper, presented the opening prayer and explained the significance of tobacco to Anishinabek people. Tobacco was presented to everyone at the smudging ceremony including the entire 67’s team. “When we are given tobacco, we need to be thinking about ourselves, and use to reflect on our understanding and purpose, and creating balance in our body, mind and spirit.”
“You need to reflect on the journey you have taken to get here, and everything that each of you has already accomplished,” said Josh Eshkawkogan. “It took a long time to get where you are. I want each of you to hold the tobacco for a second before you put in into the fire and think about this. Offering tobacco is one of the greatest gifts we have. When there is a connection between your mind, body and spirit, it helps to cleanse your mind and body and creates balance and positive energy.”
Jean Debassige said, “When I see all of you here, members of the 67’s hockey team, I see in you my son and two grandsons who have all played hockey, including five am hockey practices.”
“What I want to say to you boys is never give up,” said Ms. Debassige. “If you have a passion and fire for hockey you have to put all your energy and effort into it. If you can’t get a goal in a game, so what, you will have the chance to get one in another game. I have a love for hockey.”
“I do have to say I wish all of you a lot of years and success,” said Ms. Debassige. “And remember each time you fall back it’s a chance for growth and learning.”
Josh Eshkawkogan presented a symbol of a bear to 67’s coach Dave Cameron, requesting it be presented to the best 67’s player in each game.
Steven Fox-Radulovich then talked about the history of the OCF and what the building itself represents. “The OCF started in the mid-1970s. My mother was one of the founding members,” he said noting it was established to provide a venue for Indigenous arts, culture and crafts to be presented, but that the Anishinaabe language, maintaining and developing it was the main reason for it being established.
Mr. Cameron told The Expositor that Kohyn has earned his position with the 67’s team. “He is a highly skilled and competitive player. And he’s a sponge because he wants to learn from the coaches and his teammates and make a valuable contribution to his team. We are very lucky to have him on our team.”
