Indigenous leaders are throwing their support behind Dryden hosting the Lil Bands Hockey Tournament.
66-teams are in town for the week long youth event.
Treaty #3 Grand Chief Francis Kavanaugh and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler took part in opening ceremonies Monday afternoon at the Memorial Arena.
They were joined by City Council members Martin MacKinnon, Roger Valley and John Carlucci, as well as Dryden Police Chief Doug Palson.
Eagle Lake First Nation Chief Arnold Gardner and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation Chief Esther Pitchenese also participated.
Francis Kavanaugh believes the tournament is one way to achieve reconciliation, noting hundreds of people from the north come down to inject over a million dollars in the local economy.
Kavanaugh says the event is about everyone working together, making northwestern Ontario a better place to be in.
He adds it shows that you can develop partnerships and tolerate one another’s existence.
Alvin Fiddler is pleased the Lil Bands Hockey Tournament is back in Dryden.
He stresses the kids look forward to playing in Dryden and he doesn’t want to go against their wishes.
Fiddler says families have worked hard to fundraise to make the trip south and they don’t want to disrupt all efforts made to host the Tournament in the community.
Fiddler notes having the tournament in an urban market gives the players more exposure to the game of hockey.
You can hear more from Francis Kavanaugh and Alvin Fiddler, by visiting the Audio link below.
