It never ceases to amaze the lengths parents will go to help their children achieve their dreams.
For the last week and a half Grace Twoyoungmen of the Bearspaw Nakoda Nation has been raising funds so she and her 17-year-old son, Mattais, can travel to the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships being held in Mississauga, Ont.
The family has raised $1,400 of the $2,500 needed to make the trip.
“It has been so overwhelming,” Grace said. “The team representative from Team Alberta only just notified us about a week and a half ago regarding funding so I’ve been busy.
“I’ve been doing a taco sale, 50/50s and a bottle drive. I wanted to get the word out to anyone that is willing to sponsor him.”
Grace – who has seven children – was able to pay Mattais’ $850 airfare but because it is mandatory that one parent accompany a player, she has to raise more funds despite not currently being employed.
“My husband is the only one with income, and we’re a family of nine,” she said. “We’re a hockey family, all of our kids play.”
“It’s been great to see all of the support we’ve been getting, it makes me feel good,” Mattais said. “It’s great to get out of the reserve and do something that forces me to strive and push myself.”
The tournament, which brings together midget male hockey players from across the country, is being held April 30 to May 8. It is hailed as a great opportunity for young aboriginal males to receive positive exposure on a national stage, as they play in front of major junior and junior A hockey scouts from across Canada.
“This is a huge opportunity for our First Nations boys,” Grace said. “A lot of the scouts are in the eastern part of Canada.
“It’s considered the granddaddy of all the tournaments. It’s really huge and an honour to be part of it.”
Team Alberta won silver in 2012 and 2015, and bronze in 2013 and 2014. This year the goal is the top of the podium.
“The boys do hope to win gold this year,” Grace said. “For Mattais, this is his last year of midget so it’s a nice way to end it by making Team Alberta for the first time.”
In addition, former NHL great John Chabot will be scouting for his fifth hockey documentary, “Hit The Ice” which is broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).
“Mattais is hoping to get invited to that,” Grace said. “Chabot chooses the top 40 players from the tournament and my nephew – Lane Lightning – was invited last year.”
Mattais who has been playing since he was three years old and currently plays club hockey with the Bow Valley Timberwolves, feels the experience will help open doors for him as he looks to make the jump to junior, and then hopefully, college hockey.
“I’ve got a couple of junior camp invites,” he said. “Four in Saskatchewan, two in Alberta, a couple in Kimberley, and probably more after the tournament considering all the scouts who will be at the event.
“I’m going to go to a couple of them, and see what happens. I want to play junior hockey for a year so I can improve my game and increase my level. Then I’m going to try to make college.”
