Curve Lake First Nation’s Dalyn Wakely shoots and scores
By Kelly Anne Smith
NORTH BAY – A Nipissing First Nation billet encouraged all of the North Bay Battalion to be culturally mindful during Truth and Reconciliation Week.
With Dalyn Wakely (pronounced like Allen with a D in front) now scoring for North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), his billet ‘mom’ Lorie Young coordinated having the whole team learn cultural mindfulness with George Couchie.
Wakely is a 17-year-old from Curve Lake First Nation and Anishinaabekwe Lorie felt it was important for the players to listen to Couchie, owner and operator of Redtail Hawk Training and Consulting.
“I just felt that with having Dal on the team as an Anishnaabe man, it would be a good idea for the team to learn about Truth and Reconciliation. And to get a greater understanding of Anishinaabe people especially with Orange Shirt Day. All the talk around North Bay right now is TRC so it was a good opportunity to teach these young men a big part of Canadian history.”
Wakely agreed, thoroughly enjoying the presentation.
“He (George Couchie) knows a lot. I’m from the reserve in Curve Lake and I’m still learning, so he was very useful that way,” says Wakely.
Cultural mindfulness is necessary on a team, says Dalyn.
“Well, I think there are so many cultures and different people that play the sport of hockey. I think it’s important that everyone in the room, no matter what your background, is aware. I think the background where I come from being [Indigenous] isn’t as covered as much as a typical guy’s background,” he explains. “So, I think it’s important for the guys, my teammates, to learn a little bit about where my people are from. I think they understand that. It was a great presentation.”
The aspiring player wears his Curve Lake First Nation hat to remind him of home.
“Being an Indigenous man and playing in the OHL is a privilege and I’m very proud to represent my Curve Lake First Nation reserve,” he notes. “There are some members of the community of Curve Lake that sent me away with some gifts and I have those in my room at home. That’s the little tokens that I look at every day to remind me where I came from and how I’m here right now.”
Dalyn is grateful for the support from Nipissing First Nation.
“I think it’s great that when I first signed with North Bay last year in 2020, I had multiple families reach out on the reserve and said that they’d like to take me in. That was a very warm and welcoming thing. Not only for people in North Bay to reach out but people knowing I’m First Nation from Curve Lake and they want to bring me to be part of the community here. It’s a pretty special thing,” he expresses. “It’s one of those things, from our background. We like to be tight-knit and have a close family… It’s been great! Bryan and Lorie, my billet parents, they’re amazing. They take care of me like I’m their own son.”
Their support helps keep Dalyn Wakely successful on the ice. The rookie scored twice in two preseason games.
“I mean, it’s been a year and a half of training. I signed last year hoping to play this last winter with North Bay so I’ve been gearing up. This year is my NHL draft year as well. I want to produce right away and help North Bay win. They signed me here for a reason and I want to show them and not take my spot in the lineup for granted. I’m going to produce every night and help our team win.”