Thursday 13 October 2016

The Ktunaxa Nation Hockey Program Launches


Grab your kyxuk̓ȼiyamuⱡ and lets play some kyxuk̓ȼiyam!
On this past Friday, October 7th, the Ktunaxa Nation Hockey Program launched. It was a dream project carried out by family support worker Darcy Fisher and social worker Marie Laska from Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child & Family Services.
“There was a lot of dreaming.” Fisher said, “This is a dream that I have had since I started family support with Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child and Family Services.”
“Hockey was always a part of my life growing up. So to bring that opportunity to my two children and our community members is something that is really taken fruition nicely.”
For Laska it all started with, “a love for sports and a strong appreciation that sports are integral for building life skills for children and families.”
The program was able to dress over 20 children and youth in complete hockey gear and secure ice-time until March 2017. This was made possible by grant support from viaSport and JumpStart; plus support from Sport Chek, the Calgary Hitmen and Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS).
But for Laska it just wasn’t the financial support that made the launch of the program a success. “This brought together members from the community who could support the program, who had hockey or skating experience.”
“If it wasn’t for the community; for taking all the steps along the way of getting people on board, to get excited, having people responding; it never would have happened.”
Fisher, who was recently elected to Chief and Council for the ʔAkisq'nuk First Nation, added. “I have been waiting for this, to get the people out there and get the health and wellness routine into their lifestyle.
“To be able to support youth is the biggest thing we want to do. These kids are out there smiling, laughing and having fun playing hockey. It is pretty awesome.”
Doreen Clement was one of the parent’s in attendance watching her son Kezdin play.
“This is great! This is exciting and excellent for the community. I’m happy that all the parents that came to support.”
Children and youth with Ktunaxa ancestry came from ʔaq'am and Cranbrook to the Kinsmen Arena play. Some knew how to skate, but many did not and were learning for the first time. However, the goal of the program isn’t just about learning how to skate and play, it is about the life skills that will be learned in providing a healthy option for after school play.
Fisher said that one of the main goals is having “a healthy choice for something that you can do, and you are having fun with your peers while doing it, that is first and foremost above all.
“Second is healthy activity. After school hours are sometimes the most vulnerable. To give them a healthy option is paramount to their future.”
Clement said “some of the kids sit at home and some may not know what to do with their time.
“This is getting them out, getting exercise and they are meeting people that they don’t always interact with. They are out here and helping each other out. It’s great”
Laska added that having the chance to be mentor’s and build leadership skills is another goal of the program.
Those goals may have been met on the first day alone. Kezdin, who is taking a mentor role because of his experience playing hockey since age five said, “I get to help my friends learn how to skate.”
He also added, “We don’t do this every day. I get to hang out with my friends and play some hockey.”
But he summed it up in one word: “Fun.”
“When you see the families coming out, that is what it is about.” Laska said “It is something that is a wonderful thing, promoting a community bond, through hockey.”
The program, started with a dream, and it will grow.
“This is ground zero,” Laska said. “Skill building, team work, and realizing that they have an ability to connect with something bigger than themselves. This is something that is special, that they can grow with.”


Photo by Saige Francis

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