Playing Together, Learning From Each Other: A Hockey Cares Exchange Between Oakville, ON and Constance Lake First Nation, ON

With support from Experiences Canada’s Youth Exchange Program, youth from Constance Lake First Nation, ON travelled to Oakville, ON this summer, for a week-long exchange. They explored new sites in the city of Oakville and surrounding areas, learned tips and tricks from hockey coaches while training together, formed bonds on- and off- the ice by playing friendly games of hockey in mixed teams, and participated in educational activities. The youth visited the North American Trade Schools and Medix College, where they learned from professionals and gained hands-on experience trying out different skills such as welding and dentistry. 

 

 

After establishing friendships in the summer, the two groups reconnected this November in Constance Lake First Nation for the second half of their reciprocal exchange. Besides hockey, youth also bonded by playing indoor volleyball and floor hockey together as well as engaging in cultural and educational activities. Some of the Indigenous cultural activities the groups participated in included working on a moose hide, fishing, archery, cedar paddle making, and listening to traditional drumming in a tipi. The youth took turns chopping and gathering firewood before taking part in a fire making competition…using only flint and items they gathered from the bush!  

 

 

Experiences Canada has been supporting Hockey Cares for many years through our Youth Exchange program. Open to groups of 10-30 groups aged 12 to 17 and their chaperones, this program provides a unique experiential learning opportunity for youth to explore Canada through reciprocal exchanges. Exchanges offer life-changing experiences: enabling young Canadians to build personal skills and self-confidence; form new friendships; deepen their knowledge of a second language, of other histories and cultures, increase self-confidence by developing personal and life skills, and inspire them to become more actively engaged in their communities. Exchanges can also give youth the opportunity to explore higher education options and career paths they may have never considered before. 

 

 

“Thank you so much [Experiences Canada] for making Hockey Cares 2024 Exchange a huge success. The Oakville youth went home with a new appreciation of the North and a love of Oji-Cree culture. Besides hockey, youth worked on a moose hide [and took part in] archery and cedar paddle making. They participated in a fire making competition using only flint and items they gathered from the bush. Oakville youth will cherish the memories made in Constance Lake First Nation forever.”  

– Sue Heddle, Founder of Hockey Cares & Experiences Canada Group Organizer 

 

 

Experiences Canada is a proud partner of Hockey Cares, covering the costs of group travel for all youth participants and chaperones that take part in an exchange. Hockey Cares is a cultural exchange program created to foster positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in Canada. Through a shared love of hockey, Hockey Cares provides youth with the opportunity to play hockey, create friendships, and experience life in a new community. Experiences Canada makes these exchanges more affordable and accessible for youth, so they travel to and from rural communities to build strong cross-cultural connections with each other at a reduced cost. 

 

Discover the transformative power of experiential learning! Apply today to secure your spot in a 2025 Youth Exchange – we cover the costs of travel: https://experiencescanada.ca/exchanges/. 

 

Experiences Canada’s Youth Exchange program is generously funded by Canadian Heritage.