M’CHIGEENG—Twenty-two years ago, the first BJ Corbiere Memorial Tournament was held but it has become so much more in the years that have followed. This tournament, this year, is also in memory of James Debassige and Norman Debassige, who are co-founding fathers of the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) tournament.
This year, the LNHL celebrates 50 years in existence and though the BJ Corbiere Memorial tournament has been around for decades, raising funds for various needs in the community, the proceeds of this tournament will go to help those kids from M’Chigeeng who will attend the LNHL tournament in Markham during March break.
Kim Aelick, a M’Chigeeng council member was instructed by Debbie Debassige, the main organizer of the event, to conduct a tour and an interview regarding the particular significance of this year’s annual memorial tournament. In addition to the ongoing hockey games, there was a euchre tournament going on. “Monica, one of our community members, organizes this euchre tournament every year. And there are players from about six different neighbouring communities here as well as some of our council members – Charles Beaudin and Robert Beaudin,” Ms. Aelick said, as she opened the door to reveal a quiet spot and a room full of serious card players. The Texas Hold’em Poker players were also off by themselves.
Walking past a long table filled with gifts, Ms. Aelick explained, “All of these prizes have been donated, as well as the ones in the arena. Mats Sundin autographed this hockey shirt for the prize table. And this toddler’s hockey shirt was autographed by Stan Johnson.”
Next stop on the tour was the kitchen, where an army of volunteers worked to provide food for the hungry athletes and fans. “M’Chigeeng First Nation Little NHL Athletes in Motion is what we call ourselves,” said Candi Kaiser. She and Shana Sweeney organized the canteen “and we’re fundraising for the 50th Little NHL anniversary tournament and the proceeds are going to the parents who are volunteering and donating for the weekend. We’re putting unity back in community, as Debbie Debassige keeps saying over and over. We have parents from all teams, and not just parents but community members showing up to help and donate stuff. Some of them, their kids aren’t going to the NHL, and some don’t even have kids. So, it’s great the help we’re getting here this weekend.”
The memorial board lists numerous people for whom the games and the tournament are named. Each game is sponsored by a family or a business in memory of a loved one. “The family of James Debassige, Debassige Build and Paul’s Corner store donated in memory of James Debassige,” Debbie Debassige explained, “and Season’s Restaurant and Finn’s Gas Bar donated in memory of Norman Debassige. Those are major tournament sponsors, then we have individual ice sponsors, which helps with the overall expenses,” she explained. “Indigenous Sport and Wellness Ontario is also a significant contributor for this event.
“Typically, it’s the family of BJ Corbiere who run the tournament, and we donate to the hospital and the mental health centre, but this year, I asked the family if we could donate the tournament in the names of James and Norman Debassige and the family agreed,” Debbie Debassige said, standing in the crowded viewing stands with the noise and the excitement of the spectators all around. “Then I brought it to the Little NHL Athletes in Motion Working Group and said ‘Can we do this?’ and they agreed. And it all came together in a short amount of time.”
“It was a huge effort to pull it together,” added Ms. Aelick.
When she got off the ice, Deidre Debassige had a chance to talk about her role in bringing about the BJ Corbiere Memorial Hockey Tournament, raising the funds and getting the sponsors. “It’s actually been pretty smooth getting sponsors over the years because the tournament has been around so long, it’s become like a signature part of our community,” she said. “Every year, when we announce it’s coming up, people always reach out to us to show their support. For the main part it’s family and friends and organizations and businesses and players from all over who show their support by sponsoring games. This year, it’s crazy how we just posted our letter and the money came pouring in.”
It’s easy to see, with the crowds of people, the players, the volunteers, the noise and the excitement—Debbie Debassige has succeeded with her motto for this special tournament. She, and her team of volunteers, have put the unity in community, without a doubt.
by Margery Frisch
