By Alexandra Mehl, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter HA-SHILTH-SA
The importance of Truth and Reconciliation is not something most British Columbians want put on ice, at least metaphorically speaking.
Putting that message on ice literally however, thatB次元官网网址檚 something the Tseshaht First Nation can completely get behind.
As Sept. 30, Orange Shirt Day approached, the Port Alberni area First Nation hosted both the BCHLB次元官网网址檚 Alberni Valley Bulldogs and Junior B Port Alberni Bombers Hockey Club to teach them about their territory, values, principles, and the history of the Alberni Indian Residential School.
When Wacey Rabbitt of Kainai First Nation in Treaty Seven territory moved to Port Alberni three years ago, it was to start his career as he joined the Junior A Alberni Valley Bulldogs as assistant coach.
Roughly two weeks after the season started, Rabbitt told club President David Michaud and head coach Joe Martin that he would not be at practice, as he planned to participate in the Orange Shirt Day walk. He extended an invitation to the team to join him at the event.
B次元官网网址淚 showed up in the morning and our entire team was there,B次元官网网址� said Rabbitt. B次元官网网址淓very single player was there.B次元官网网址�
For Rabbitt, who is the son and grandson of residential school survivors, it was emotional to feel the support of the entire team.
B次元官网网址淚 realizedB次元官网网址� what it was to be a Bulldog,B次元官网网址� said Rabbitt. B次元官网网址淚 never have to be alone.B次元官网网址�
Since then, RabbittB次元官网网址檚 career has seen him move on from the Bulldogs, but the Junior A team has carried on the legacy he shared with them.
Over the past year the Bulldogs and Tseshaht have built a relationship and continue to work together, shared Ken Watts, TseshahtB次元官网网址檚 elected chief councillor.
Upon meetings with Watts, Michaud said they decided the team would come learn about the history of the First Nation and the Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS) so they can learn more about B次元官网网址渨hyB次元官网网址� they are walking.
B次元官网网址淲e spent the morning up there and it was just an incredible experience for our guys,B次元官网网址� said Michaud.
B次元官网网址淚t was.375 an eye-opening experience, just to hear their experience,B次元官网网址� said Bulldogs captain Nicholas Beneteau, who is originally from Windsor Ontario. B次元官网网址淎nd even first, second-hand, just what some of their parents have gone through and grandparents.B次元官网网址�
Watts said that some of the teachings shared were of TseshahtB次元官网网址檚 history, such their creation story, values and principles, as well as the Indian Act and of the residential school. It was also shared with the players the work that Tseshaht continues to do as they move forward.
B次元官网网址淚 think it was really important for most of the guys on the team because a lot of them didnB次元官网网址檛 know anything about any of it,B次元官网网址� said Beneteau. B次元官网网址淚t was only a few hours, but we covered a lot of information.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚t is important they understand the territories of the local nations where they play as not only a sign of respect, but also to understand why we gather on Sept. 30,B次元官网网址� wrote Watts. B次元官网网址淲hile itB次元官网网址檚 a dark chapter in the history of Canada we need to continue to educate all Canadians including athletes on this history.B次元官网网址�
The team was taken to the grounds of the former Alberni Indian Residential School, and then down to the river, where they were lucky enough to see a black bear snatch up a salmon.
B次元官网网址淚t was interesting to hear Ken talk about the history of the land, and how itB次元官网网址檚 evolved over the years and trying to understand colonization and what that meant to the Tseshaht people,B次元官网网址� said Michaud. B次元官网网址淎nd help our guys sort of understand that a little bit too.B次元官网网址�
For Michaud, he hopes that when the team participates in the Orange Shirt Day Walk B次元官网网址渢hey have a deeper appreciation for the symbolism behind that walk, what it means for them to be a part of it and an understanding of the pain thatB次元官网网址檚 associated with it.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 hope they feel that theyB次元官网网址檙e a part of a healing journey as well,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淎nd appreciate that theyB次元官网网址檙e a part of a much bigger community than maybe they understood they were before they decided they wanted to be a Bulldog.B次元官网网址�
The players that make up the Alberni Valley Bulldogs are youth from B次元官网网址渁ll over North AmericaB次元官网网址�, shared Michaud. And this year, the team has players from Ukraine and Finland.
B次元官网网址淭hey all come here and play hockey and are a part of the community,B次元官网网址� said Michaud. B次元官网网址淲e thought this would be a really neat way for them to learn about the community.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淥nce you learn this education, now, itB次元官网网址檚 on you to tell the stories,B次元官网网址� said Rabbitt, reflecting on the teachings of his own culture. B次元官网网址淥ur stories are getting out there and thatB次元官网网址檚 part of reconciliationB次元官网网址n Canada.B次元官网网址�
READ ALSO:
READ ALSO:
