Wakely discusses career and provides inspiration at Curve Lake First Nation event

By Sam Laskaris

CURVE LAKE FIRST NATION – Dalyn Wakely believes the support he receives from his community has played a crucial role in his junior hockey career, which is why Wakely was more than willing to participate in an event titled Everyone Has A Spark, held at the Curve Lake First Nation’s community centre on Aug. 14.

The event provided Wakely, who has been drafted by the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers, an opportunity to share some stories of his career thus far while also inspiring some of the younger attendees from his community.

Wakely, 21, spent the past four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, having played three years with the North Bay Battalion before finishing off his junior career this past season with the Barrie Colts.

Wakely is now gearing up for his rookie season in the NCAA ranks with the University of Massachusetts-Lowell Riverhawks.

About 100 people attended the Curve Lake event, which was preceded by a dinner.

“There was a pretty good turnout; a good mix of youth and some older folks in the community,” Wakely said. “So, it was good.”

The event also featured Nipissing First Nation member George Couchie, a former police officer who now primarily provides lectures on Native history and culture and the effects of Indian Residential Schools.

Couchie has known Wakely since he was playing in North Bay. He had been invited to assist the Battalion organization with some cultural teachings.

As for the Curve Lake event, Wakely was keen to be a part of it.

“A lot of it was about my career so far and ways that I’ve overcome it,” he said of his presentation, adding he was hoping to give all attendees a better understanding of his playing days.

He was rather pleased that his First Nation hosted the event.

“Obviously, it’s super important just being able to kind go out in a situation like that and be able to talk to everyone face-to-face,” he said. “I don’t really get the opportunity to see everyone in one spot like that all the time. So, to have a big part of the community there and hearing myself and George Couchie speak was pretty important, I think.”

Wakely added he’s thrilled with how supportive Curve Lake members have been of his career, especially during his junior days.

“They travelled pretty well into North Bay,” he said. “And then obviously when we would come to Peterborough, there would be a Curve Lake full house. Obviously, being able to see all those people all the time and knowing they’ve got my back, that is really comforting. And it goes a long way into just making me able to perform and do my best. So, it’s been amazing.”

Couchie was also pleased to be invited to the Curve Lake event.

“A lot of times we always say that our family get-togethers is usually a funeral,” he said. “But this was really good to see them coming to celebrate this young guy. And there was a lot of young Indigenous boys and girls there and to inspire them in hockey. Dalyn also talked about staying on this good path, staying away from alcohol and drugs. So, it was good for the community.”