Education charity “Classroom Champions,” the City of Grande Prairie, and the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships are set to host a community-wide event to hear from guest speakers to address themes among youth during the 2023 NAHC.
According to officials, St. Joseph’s school will open its doors for up to 1,3000 students, teachers, and families, alongside Indigenous athletes from across Canada competing in the tournament to hear from community leaders and Olympic silver medalist and prolific First Nations hockey player Brigette Lacquette.
Lacquette is a former longtime Classroom Champions mentor and is described as being “no stranger” to talking to kids about goal setting, perseverance, and what it takes to be a champion. She says she is proud to come back to the organization as it gives her the opportunity to connect with youth and let them know she believes in them.
“Being a Classroom Champions Athlete Mentor was a life-changing experience for me both personally and professionally,” she says. “I’m so proud to come back with Classroom Champions, the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship, and the city of Grande Prairie to this student-focused event where I’m able to connect with kids and talk about the impact they can have in their own backyard.”
The organization says community leaders from across the area have been invited to attend the event alongside all Grande Prairie schools, including those from Peace Wapiti, Kelly Lake, Horse Lake, Hythe, Beaverlodge, and others.
Additionally, Grade Three Cree Language students from Hythe Regional School will perform the Hello Song and National Anthem at the tournament’s opening ceremony on May 6th at the Design Works Centre.
Students will have the opportunity to interview Lacquette about what it takes to perform at the highest level both in athletics and daily life and the event is scheduled for May 8th from 5:15 to 7:00 p.m.