Welcome to M’Chigeeng: 67’s learn and grow on Manitoulin Island visit
Last weekend on their Northern Ontario road trip, the Ottawa 67’s used their off day to stop on Manitoulin Island, with open minds and a goal to learn.
When Head Coach Dave Cameron spoke to his players about the trip, he talked about both culture and history, the two guiding principles he wanted them to remember throughout the day.
Over the course of the day, the Barber Poles participated in numerous activities and traditions, including visiting the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, hearing from Morgan Hare, the M’Chigeeng chief, and a smudging ceremony, which is done to purify or cleanse the soul of negative thoughts.
Kevin and Josh Eshkawkogan, the father and grandfather respectively of 67’s defenceman Koyhn Eshkawkogan hosted the smudging ceremony, and showed members of the team around the island, leaving a lasting impression on the players as they boarded the bus to head back to the team hotel.
“I think seeing it firsthand is really different, and being immersed in it’s a lot different,” said 67’s goaltender Jaeden Nelson, comparing his experience to what he’s learned in school. “I didn’t know what to expect when I went there, I’ve never been on a reservation, and it’s a smaller island, but being there and seeing how much the community supports Kohyn and our team was really nice. It humbles you.”
Not only did the day show them what life as part of the M’Chigeeng First Nation is like, but also helped them get to know their 15-year-old teammate on a more personal level.
“It was a good team-building day, and it was great to see where Kohyn grew up, his lifestyle, and how they live there,” 67’s captain Luca Pinelli said. “It was pretty special to us, and we learned a lot.”
One observation the 67’s came away with is how tight the M’Chigeeng community is. They say that it’s more like a family than any community they have ever been a part of, and that’s an element they are hoping to bring back to Ottawa with them to foster a stronger relationship with one another.
“It’s important for us to learn how they bond, a family mentality with everyone working toward achieving the same goal,” said rookie forward Zach Houben. “It was great for us to learn that, and do some team bonding overall. It was a great little reset to get away from the game for a little bit, and it was really fun.”
Their appreciation didn’t end after they left, either. In Sudbury, hundreds of number 19 Eshkawkogan barber pole jerseys flowed through the doors of the Sudbury Community Arena, and many more signs, shirts, and other 67’s swag followed.
Eshkawkogan said before the game he thought it would feel like a home game for the 67’s, and it turns out, he was right.
“Kohyn is doing well, but he’s going through his first year of junior, which could be very hard, so having the support of your whole community behind you like that is something that I think every player wishes they had,” Nelson said. “The fact that they’re just bringing that positive energy that they have through the whole team is just really good.”
The Barber Poles won the game 6-3, and ended their seven-game-long losing skid, thanks to the M’Chigeeng support.
“You could say they were good luck, they helped us snap the losing streak,” Nelson said with a smile. “It was awesome to see that, honestly. You wouldn’t expect to see something like that in Sudbury of all places, but I think for Kohyn, that’s probably big to have that kind of support system in a place like that.”
It was two days well spent between education and winning hockey.
“We had a good time on Manitoulin Island, and I think that was a good reset for us,” Houben said. “I think we’re on the right track now. We’re in the right mentality, we’re playing as a group, and I’m excited for the future.”
