WASAC youth camp brings Indigenous children together on the ice

Dozens of First Nations and Métis youth from across Manitoba attended WASAC’s eighth-annual camp at Camp Manitou for sport, culture and wellness activities, including a skate with former NHL players and a planned Jets game where WASAC would be honoured.

Even frigid temperatures did not stop the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre’s eighth-annual youth camp from going ahead. Dozens of First Nations and Métis youth from across Manitoba gathered at Camp Manitou for a day of sport, culture and healthy-living activities. The weekend opened with the Murray Sinclair Memorial Round Dance and included yoga, a cooking workshop with chefs from Indigenous-owned Feast, and a casual skate with NHL alumni. Organizers said the events led into a Winnipeg Jets game that night where WASAC was to be honoured. What happened: - Youth from Duck Bay, Pauingassi, Lac Brochet, Shamattawa, Bunibonibee Cree Nation and Pine Creek attended the camp. - Activities included yoga classes, a cooking workshop with chefs from Indigenous-owned restaurant Feast, and a casual on-ice session at Camp Manitou. - Former NHL players who joined the skate included Ray Neufeld, Derek Meech and Trevor Kidd; Kidd is Métis and grew up in Oakbank and played 12 NHL seasons. - WASAC executive director Trevor LaForte described the camp’s aim as developing youth leaders and said the events were held in partnership with True North and the sākihiwē festival. - Organizers monitored children closely for safety given very cold conditions, and noted the camp coincided with a Jets night where WASAC would be honoured. Summary: The camp combined cultural celebration, sport and skill-building while connecting youth from remote communities with local organizations and NHL alumni. The group was scheduled to attend the Jets–Red Wings game that night, where WASAC was to be honoured. Undetermined at this time.