JERSEY FRONT – CANADA
JERSEY BACK – CANADA
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
We are thrilled to announce that our participants will be embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime cultural exchange experience!
This incredible opportunity will allow them expand their horizons, immerse themselves in a new culture, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
It will be a chance to meet new people, try new foods, explore new places, all while gaining invaluable insight into the customs, traditions, and perspectives of the Australian Indigenous culture.
An unique opportunity that will broaden their perspectives, develop their communication skills, foster lasting friendships across borders. We hope that they take advantage of every moment, engage with the locals and embrace the challenges and opportunities that come their way.
We are so excited for them all and can’t wait to hear about their adventures.
In January of 2020 Hockey united Australia and Canada. The Kaurna Boomerangs, from Adelaide Australia landed on January 10th, in Edmonton to participate in a series of cultural exchanges. The Kaurna Boomerangs emerged from the Ice Factor Program based in Adelaide, Australia, which was created 15 years ago to help re-engage disadvantaged students at risk of leaving school. The tour consisted of several events throughout Alberta: (Edmonton, Northern Alberta on both Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 lands)
- Rogers Place, (home of Edmonton Oilers) Skills on ice with private dressing room walk through
- West Edmonton Mall
- Outdoor (practice) skate at Ottewell Community Centre in Edmonton @-25 degrees
- Visit and game at Four Bands Community of Maskwacis – visit to Nipisihkopahk Secondary School including a presentation by Steve Wood and the drum welcome, prayers, jingle dance, warrior dance, traditional dance. (Exhibition game and gift exchange including the traditional Blankets)
- Visit and game in Calling Lake – (two night stay in a tent city within their amazing Rec and Community Complex)prayers and smudge ceremony, fun filled inside and out with, basketball, floor hockey, ice fishing, snow shoeing, tobogganing, hot dogs and hotchocolate by outdoor fire, hockey with Calling Lake Minor Hockey Association and the Woodland Cree of Bigstone Cree Nation, (special event game playing for the “Bannock Cup”)
- Sport Central, (A registered Charity to get Sport equipment to kids in need) generously donated several full sets of equipment for kids in need in Australia for the Boomerangs to take home
- The team also enjoyed a visit to the RCMP K Division, school visit at amiskwaciy Academy, a weekend of hockey in Edmonton, with Friday nights’ Oil Kings game and finishing the tour off Saturday afternoon at the Oilers game.
Kerry Goulet, Angela Lightning, Wilf Brooks and Marie Shaw are now working on a new journey. A journey that will take this cultural exchange to Australia. The tour will consist of approximately 20 individuals making the long trek across the World to experience a once in a lifetime dream.
The event will consist of visits to Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne:
- Local games against – Kaurna Boomerangs
- Various cultural exchanges with local families
- Educational tours throughout Australia
- On Ice Safe4Sport ice clinics
- One-of-a-kind jersey art
Who are the players?
The touring party will consist of Canadian Indigenous ice hockey players, coach, trainer, and management. Each player will be selected by our committee to meet certain criteria.
Marie Shaw, a KC in Adelaide leadership, Wilf Brooks, Edmonton Ambassador, Angela Lightning, Edmonton Ambassador, Kerry Goulet, Director of the Australian Ice Hockey Classic and StopConcussions are putting together the funding to make such an important trip become reality.
“Going from +40 to -40 was a shock but we had so much fun – never tobaggoned before”
KAURNA
“At first I was sure I could walk across the ice and then we did! Ice Fishing was amazing”
KAURNA
“Such a warm welcome and experience meeting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police! Their dog was so cool!”
KAURNA
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