Students helping students

By Jennifer Petahtegoose

SUDBURY—A group of students in Sudbury, Ontario, heard about the Rez Girls 64 hockey team who are trying to build a rink in their fly-in community and were determined to help them out. Liza Wemigwans-Manitowabi, Dana Lewis and Hannah Morningstar, students of St. Charles College, decided they wanted to support their teacher, Mrs. Mari Kingshott, raise funds to put towards the building of a proper rink for this young team.

The Rez Girls 64 are from Eabametoong First Nation, a fly-in community with a group of dedicated young ladies trying to build a stronger hockey team.  This young team is hoping to build a permanent concrete pad for their ice rink.  A cement pad would prolong the season for the Rez Girls 64 and get them practising earlier, as well as offering dryland training opportunities.

St. Charles College student Dana Lewis knows the benefits of hockey, having played for the Sudbury Lady Wolves, Little NHL, and for her high school.

“Hockey can bring so much to a person’s life. It’s such an awesome sport, it helps you focus in school, it teaches you to be part of a team, to work hard, to set goals, and it’s so much fun. When I heard about these girls up North, I had to help.”

With the guidance of their principal and teachers, the girls helped rally their school to help out the Eabemetoong- Fort Hope Girls Hockey Team.  The school fundraising efforts included a day to wear sports jerseys, soup and chili sales, collecting over $1,255.00 to help build the ice pad.

The students were happy to help in this season of giving.  Donations can also be made directly to the Rez Girls 64 hockey team.