By Cheryl Jahn

Indigenous girls hockey a hit

Mar 19, 2024 | 3:09 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Ben Berland has coached hockey for years and is holding Indigenous girls hockey camps this month. And the association to the sport is personal.

“I got hooked on hockey at a young age. I came from a family where neither of my parents played the sport. But I had an uncle who loved the sport and bought me my first gear. And then when we moved here to B.C., I was hooked and been Hooked ever since that day.”

The endeavour is sponsored by the Lheidli T’enneh and Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council, which is bringing representatives from a special organization will be here in early April. The aim is to get girls into hockey.

Crime

Prince George RCMP look for suspect in gas station robbery with unique tattoo

4h ago

stem cell drive

Stem cell drive to take place May 26th

4h ago

EOC funding

Prince George Emergency Operation Centre in need of a permanent facility says city official

4h ago

“I’ve always said that there’s a huge talent pool in Canada that exists in Indigenous communities,” says Berland. “And for me, it’s never been about a lack of talent in that community, but a lack of opportunity. And so we’re trying to create that opportunity and get as many girls out as possible.”

This is the first year of the event and it is geared to attract the talent pool that Berland referenced.

“People are really enjoying it. What we’re finding is and that’s what we’re gearing towards, is kids or families who have never been exposed to the game of hockey. And we’re trying to keep it very low cost. All we require is spear skates and a helmet and we provide the sticks. And at the end of the program they get a nice jersey and we’ll provide a little bit of information on how to sign up for minor hockey.”

And there is an end goal to what he has started.

“I think I would consider it a great success if we had one of the 32 girls that we have in the program would sign up for Prince George Minor hockey next year.”

He says he’s been working with BC Hockey to bring up indigenous participation in the sport he loves the most.