By Curtis Galbraith

Local Hockey

Fourteen teams taking part in National Aboriginal Hockey Championships taking place in Grande Prairie

May 4, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Fourteen teams from across the country, seven girls squads and seven boys, are in Grande Prairie for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

That will include 350 players, aged 14 to 17.

There will also be 100 coaches, plus officials and spectators, at this tournament.

Host Society Vice Chair Chenoa Esau says there has been a lot of work done to get things ready.

“One of the big things has been transportation. All the teams are staying in hotels, so there’s been a lot of organization on that front.”

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“We also have quite a few cultural initiatives and events going on at the same time.”

Esau adds the Friendship Centre will be part of the event.

“The Friendship Centre is leading our smudge teepee for us, so we’ll have a smudge teepee located at the front of the Design Works Centre. They have helped us out with getting an elder for that (along with) knowledge keepers. That’s open to all spectators and participants.”

“The Friendship Centre has also been very gracious with our opening ceremonies, coordinating the elder for the smudge for that.”

Esau says all local First Nations have been invited to attend the opening ceremonies.

The opening ceremonies will include speeches, traditional performances, and drumming.

Grade 3 Cree language students from Hythe Regional High School will sing O Canada and the Hello Song.

Esau says this will be the first time Alberta has ever hosted this event.

“It’s really exciting. We’re excited to welcome everyone from the tournament to Alberta for the first time. I’ve heard that the athletes are also pretty excited to be in Alberta.”

Esau says 60 volunteers, along with city staff and other community members are also helping out.

The girls are up first Monday with games at 8:15, 11:15, 2:15 and 5:15 at the Design Works Centre. Alberta plays B.C. in the 2:15 game.

The opening ceremony is set for 8 p.m. Monday.

The first boy’s games are on Monday at 8 and 11 a.m. and 2, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Alberta plays Saskatchewan in that last game

The full schedule can be found here. There is no charge for fans to get in.

There are several other events going on at the same time as the hockey games. That includes the following:

· Actua’s Indigenous Youth in Stem Program (InStem) for ages 5 to 15 on May 6, 7 and 8 for hockey players, their families and community members at the Design Works Centre.

o May 6 from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

o May 7 & 8 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

· Drum making and beading for a limited number of participants at Design Works Centre.

o May 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

· Classroom Champions with Brigette Lacquette, the first First Nations hockey player to be named to Canada’s National Women’s Team, at St. Joseph High School.

o May 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

· Indigenous hand games.

o May 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.