When the announcement was made that the Rivalry Series would wrap up on the
East Coast this year, the brainstorming began for Ryan Francis.
“We saw that there was an opportunity to elevate voices of Indigenous hockey
players and people and share their experiences in a very specific context
and environment,” says Francis, the Mi’kmaw sport, recreation and physical
activity corporate strategist for the Nova Scotian government.
That’s where the Indigenous Hockey Mini Summit was born. In partnership with Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaw, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and
the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, the half-day summit had three segments
featuring Indigenous players, including Canada’s National Women’s Team
defender, Jocelyne Larocque (Métis) and a keynote speech from USA Hockey
alumna, Sydney Daniels (Cree).
“For me, being a woman, being Indigenous, I think it’s important for young
Indigenous girls to be able to see Indigenous women living their dream,
having fun while they’re doing it and working hard,” Larocque says. “It’s
important for me to share that message with all youth in the world.”
When Francis approached Larocque with the opportunity to get involved in the
mini summit, she was drawn to participate right away. Not only did Larocque
do a Q&A at the summit, hosted by TSN’s Kenzie Lalonde, but she also
made time for a meet and greet with Hockey Nova Scotia’s Indigenous Girls
Hockey Program after the Rivalry Series game in Halifax.
Kenzie Lalonde (left) interviews Jocelyne Larocque during the summit.
For Larocque, representation matters. Anytime she can give back to her
community or share experiences to inspire others, she will.
“It’s very important for women playing professional hockey to have that
exposure and for young girls to see us having a career playing hockey
because I didn’t have that. A lot of my teammates didn’t have that,”
Larocque says. “I definitely will always push towards a more inclusive,
diverse and equal playing field, whether that’s hockey or anything in life.”
The summit also provided opportunities for informal conversations with
speakers, like Larocque. Jordan Dawe-Ryan recalls one little girl sitting
around a table eating breakfast alongside Larocque before the summit began
and having a chance to ask the veteran blue-liner any questions she had.
“The girl’s happiness just shone right through the experience she had,” says
Dawe-Ryan, the active living community coordinator at the Mi’kmaw Native
Friendship Centre. “With all the momentum that has been growing with woman’s
hockey worldwide […] it’s amazing that they could sit down together, like
two friends, and talk about who they are, what their goals are and their
journey along the way.”
Erin Denny, who is in her fifth year playing at Saint Mary’s University,
participated on the Mi’kmaw players’ panel at the summit. The 23-year-old
feels she has grown into a role model and really takes pride in that role.
“As I transition out of my hockey career and more into that role, I think
it’s really important to share my story and my thoughts on everything so
there can be more success for Indigenous youth,” Denny says.
Sara-Lynne Knockwood (left), Erin Denny and Chad Denny during the Mi'kmaw players' panel.
Like Larocque, Denny says representation can open doors for youth, and
having an Indigenous role model for Indigenous youth to look up to can make
a huge difference in their lives.
“Especially as a minority group, seeing someone that is similar to you,
lives a similar life and has the same struggles as you, I feel like it can
make a world of a difference for youth,” Denny says. “Being in this
position, I think it’s really important that I continue to share my
experiences and be an outlet for youth if they have questions or want
advice.”
There were additional events connected to the mini summit, such as a pizza
dinner and poster-making night at the Friendship Centre before the Rivalry
Series game. The Friendship Centre also provided smudging kits as the Player
of the Game awards in Halifax. Despite some winter weather causing power
outages in the city the morning of the summit, the event was a big success.
“It’s important to create that space, and when you do create that space and
have it in an environment that people feel safe and comfortable, there can
be really powerful discussions and perspectives that get brought forward
that will help move conversations amongst decision-makers,” Francis says.
With such a positive response from participants, organizers are already
brainstorming for another event in the future—this time expanding from a
mini summit to a full, multi-day summit.
“Another one will be on the way and we’re hoping to make it even bigger and
better the next time,” Dawe-Ryan says. “[We want to] provide more
opportunities, provide more spaces for us to share our culture and have
these safe spaces where we can interact, engage and really be our true,
vulnerable selves in these spaces.”
