Otipemisiwak Metis government highlights New Partnership with the Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers and Metis Nation of Alberta Logo (Photo Credits - Edmonton Oilers and Metis Nation of Alberta

Earlier this year, The Edmonton Oilers invited female Metis youth to participate in a U9 hockey camp, following the new partnership with the Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA) and the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers Hockey school, which runs every year throughout the summer in Edmonton had five Metis girls participating within the camp.

Lorna Dancey, Truth and Reconciliation director for the MNA spoke with Windspeaker Radio Network about the first ever invitation toward the female youth within the MNA, and how the camp helped in the healing of the intergenerational trauma, and creating memories that the children will never forget.

Dancey says that within minutes after reaching out via email towards the Edmonton Oilers about the plan that the MNA provided, they answered the call to help in any way they can to get the girls into the camp.

The camp which was taught by an all female coaches, taught diversity training, yoga, and many other programs that the parents appreciated the lessons that their children learned and the experiences they never thought they would have.

Dancey says that both the Otipemisiwak Metis Government and the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Group are in discussions about hosting an Oilers Alumni Heritage Game in the future, with eyes set on Fort Chipewyan to be the host of the event.