Indigenous youth hit the ice in hockey camp organized by University of Waterloo students

A small group of students from the University of Waterloo hope their passion for hockey can help build bridges with Indigenous youth.

The students recently organized a high performance hockey camp at the university's rink and invited young players from Saugeen and Nawash First Nations to take part. 

Nolan Lee was inspired to host the camp while listening to his professor talk about reconciliation during an Indigenous Studies class.

"I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to just give back," he said. "We were super lucky. We played hockey our whole lives and all the friendships and opportunities hockey given us — we just wanted to give back and share our love for this sport. I think this is something we feel comfortable in and we just want to share it with others."

Lee recruited four of his roommates to help out as coaches. They've promised to help run another event like this one next year after Lee has graduated.

Stephanie John is a recreation manager at Saugeen First Nation, located on the shores of Lake Huron near Southhampton, about 165 km north of Waterloo. She helped recruit the young players participating at the ice hockey camp.

John said an event like this will have a bigger impact beyond the sport.

"A few of these kids are not far from university, right? Maybe it will push them more to stay in school and get an education," she said.

"This is around the time kids don't know what they want to do. Maybe they'll see hockey as one of those outlets to keep them busy while they're in school."

Brock Pucan, who is 11 years old, said it was fun meeting new friends from other communities.

"It's fun being into able to play with your friends and train with other people," he said, adding he would like to one day play