Winnipeg Jets alumni welcome Indigenous youth to camp Manitou

About 50 youth from remote and northern Manitoba communities spent their morning skating with Winnipeg Jets alumni at Camp Manitou, as part of the Jets 7th annual WASAC weekend.

“It’s always thrilling to be around young kids and just have a great day with them and spend some time with them and see the smiles on their faces,” said Ray Neufeld, Winnipeg Jets alumni.

WASAC, which is the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre, started back in 1999 and since then has grown to employ over 100 youth leaders and support 5000 kids across the province.

“There’s a lot of struggles and things they have to deal with everyday and to be able to have those tools that the project 11 teachings help with is really great for the kids to learn and use some of those skills,” said Trevor LaForte, executive director of WASAC.

Along with their skate with the Jets alumni, the youth also had the opportunity to take in some mental health education with Project 11 and participate in a cooking and nutrition session with Feast Café Bistro.

“I think it’s really inspiring because the youth don’t really have that chance to come out here like that,” said Iliana Mason, youth leader at WASAC.

“We forget about some of the things that are maybe challenging in different ways and we start to enjoy the game of hockey and it brings everyone together with a real positive attitude and real positive vibe,” said Neufeld.

True North Sports and Entertainment has raised over 225-thousand-dollars for WASAC through this campaign.

“It allows us to provide programming in Winnipeg and across the province and it really just shows their commitment to the youth of this province, particularly indigenous youth,” said LaForte.

“As an indigenous person myself we need that representation in this world, especially Canada, we just need that. It’s really important and it’s really nice what they’re doing,” said Mason.

Following the Camp Manitou celebration, the youth get to cheer on the Jets when they take on the Calgary Flames Sunday night.

“Hockey brings everyone together, the kids are all excited for it,” said LaForte.

The game will celebrate indigenous culture through music, dance, food and more, with puck drop set for 5 PM Sunday.