HOCKEY HAS TAUGHT 16-YEAR-OLD GRACIE CADEAU MANY LESSONS

'LIFE IS ABOUT TAKING CHANCES AND LEARNING FROM THOSE EXPERIENCES'

In celebration of National Indigenous History Month, Metroland introduces readers to 30 Indigenous people who are making a difference.

Gracie Cadeau has been unpacking and getting back to her high school studies after spending eight days bonding with new teammates from communities across the province, and winning gold at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Winnipeg.

She plays centre/forward with the Barrie Sharks hockey team, but was selected to represent

Team Ontario for the tournament, training under coach Pamala Agawa, and assistant coaches Kalley Armstrong and Kelly Babstock.

"Our team went undefeated, and we had a very close championship game over Manitoba," Cadeau said. "My teammate Sydney Sawyer scored with 44.2 seconds left in third with a 2-1 win. It was a completely different than any hockey tournament I have experienced before, because it was over a week long. I really enjoyed the experience and will cherish the opportunity I had to represent Team Ontario."

Cadeau is an honours student in Grade 10 at St. Theresa's Catholic High School in Midland, and is from the Garden River First Nation. She hopes to show other young Indigenous players anything is possible.

"Since the age of four, I have pursued my passion of playing hockey," she said. "It has been one of the greatest influences in my life and has brought me to lots of different places as well as taught me many lessons."

Learning new skills motivates the 16-year-old.

"Taking a chance and making mistakes is good to shape who you want to become in life — find what motivates you in life."

It was her dad who has given her the best piece of advice so far.

"(He said) don't expect to always get it right the first time," Cadeau said. "Life is about taking chances and learning from those experiences. Don't stress over the things you can't control. Sometimes things happen for a reason."

While Cadeau recognizes she may not look like the traditional Indigenous female, she embraces her heritage and is proud to represent it. "I'm hoping other young Indigenous ladies see my story and see that there are lots of opportunities for them also."

But non-Indigenous Canadians also need to learn about Indigenous history, she said. "By doing so, they demonstrate their recognition of the important role of Indigenous Peoples in shaping this country historically and their contributions to protecting democracy," Cadeau said. "Through education, awareness, and cultural understanding, we are better equipped to address and dismantle systemic barriers that exist for Indigenous Peoples."