Donated hockey equipment being sent to kids in Manitoba First Nations

Several northern Manitoba communities are receiving donated hockey equipment for youth to be able to play.

Multiple Indigenous communities in Manitoba will soon be receiving brand new hockey gear for kids to enjoy.

Their Opportunity, an organization based in Ontario, is sending 32 pallets of hockey equipment—ranging from sticks and helmets to goalie pads and pucks—to First Nations communities in Manitoba.

The gear was donated by people in the Greater Toronto Area and the Ottawa Senators Foundation.

Graham McWaters, the chief organizer of the Indigenous hockey equipment drive, said when the organization first started this initiative, the focus was just in Ontario, but they are now able to provide equipment to communities across the country.

“We’ve been told on numerous occasions (that) it’s life changing,” said McWaters. “This is remarkable. We’re actually changing children’s lives and (their) families.”

A truck was loaded in Winnipeg Monday with 19 of those pallets, and the equipment is being brought to the Island Lake Region—Wasagamack, Red Sucker Lake, Garden Hill, and St. Theresa Point.

Michael Birch, the Grand Chief of Anisininew Okimawin, said it is emotional to see the support kids in the region are receiving.

“This is a big ordeal to get this equipment up there,” said Birch. “This is going to change lives. This is going to save lives. We have a huge population up in Island Lake; this is going to four communities, and if we can keep our kids occupied, maybe we can keep them away from drugs and different things, and one day, maybe we might see a kid in the NHL.”

More than anything, he said this removes the financial barrier from hockey for so many families, and they will now get a chance to watch their kids on the ice.

“Now what we got to do is equip these children who really need it because there’s not a lot of money up there. It’s a different world…So if we can give this equipment to the kids, we’re making a difference.”

Birch said the equipment will arrive in the communities on Wednesday and knows all the kids will be really excited to unpack the new gear.

Their Opportunity has been able to provide equipment to around 60 different First Nations communities across Canada since starting this initiative.