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ss COMMUNITY i 5 8 Fifteen Oakville teenag- ) ers have made the trip of a 3 lifetime, traveling over 1,000 # kilometres north to learn is = about Indigenous customs > and culture and play some 3 hockey with the youth of & Attawapiskat First Nation. e trip ed the sec- ond part of the Oakville- based exchange program called Hockey Cares, which brings together hockey- playing youth | from the two communities in an effort to build friendships and a deeper understanding of their cultures. In July of this year, Atta- wapiskat youth travelled to for five days of Oakville five S learning, sh: y- ing hockey. “What surprised me sl about Attawapiskat was just how welcoming the community was," said Oak- ville's Sydney Elwick, 14. “As soon as we got off the plane we saw people stand- SCottip ing outside in the freezing cold with signs welcoming us there. It was incredibly heartwarmin; nav’, (eens, tee “tried their paring goose a oak at f local hunting camps and learned about traditional medicines and crafts. akville's Evan Snyder, 15, said "it was interesting to discover thatwhen they harvest their medicines, such as sage, sweet grass great lesson in life. th groups of youth gathered together for a tra- ditional drum circle and participated in a round dance led by Attawapiskat elders. ‘Another highlight was hocke: “Tt was cool to see a mix of Oakville and Attawapis- kat kids at all different stag- es playing together and Rosie Koostachin photo Among the activities 15 Oakville youth experienced while on a hockey exchange program in the far north were a traditional drum circle and round dank ig fun," said Natalie Wests, 15. "On the bench I was able to talk to a lot of Attawapiskat kids about life there and just got to learn more about them. Hockey was for sure my fa- vourite part." please email Fiona frudder@starmetrolandmedi akville's Sue Heddle started Hockey Cares in 2017 with the hope that the exchange would benefit teens from both communi- ties. “It's an eye-opener for Oakville kids to go up north and experience the beauty of James Bay and the stars. It is also an experience liv- ing where you can't just get e water from the tap," sai: le. Only four in 10 Indige- nous youth finish high “HOCKEY EXCHANGE BUILDS BONDS BETWEEN OAKVILLE, ATTAWAPISKAT YOUTH school and suicide rates for Indigenous youth are five to seven times higher than those of non-Indigenous Canadian youth, according to Heddle. For the Oakville youth, it'sa chance to learn and ex- perience a culture different from their own, gain aware- ness about the day-to-day challenges Indigenous peo- ple in Canada face and bring about real reconcilia- tion through friendship and the shared bond of hockey. “This was a unique expe- said Oakville's Grayson Snyder, 13. "My fa- vourite part of the trip was Planning is already un- derway for the fifth Hockey Cares exchange in 2023. more information, vis- it https://truenorthaid.ca/ hockey-cares/. DIRECTORY, like to advertise your place of worship in this om or call 289-293-0691 OAKVILLE ADVENTIST COMPANY, UNITED CHURCH REV. TED VANCE akville Pentecostal Virtual Worship Services on Zoom: SUNDAY DECEMBER 4TH ‘Apostolic Centre Zoom ID : 867 6764 2331 Second Sunday of Advent at 10AM Pw: worship ALL are welcome for Holy OAKVILLE Saturdays 10 AM - 1:00 PM Communion! PENTECOSTAL Wednesdays 7:00 PM APOSTOLIC CENTRE ‘Thursdays 6:30 PM Plan now for Family Friendly Christmas Eve at 7pm! It’s your choice: WORSHIP LIVE AT 10AM! masks are now optional Pastoral Services Available for Community ille, ON In-person worship resumes July 9th, 2022. ‘As of July 9°, 2022 - choose between In-person {1250 McCraney Street East) and virtual zoom services. Services may be accessed virtually and in person “« ” Click on ‘We Press On’ www.glenabbeyunitedchurch.com To help your Church minister to so many, lease send e-transfers donations @glenabbeyunitedchurch.com 12:90- 3PM Worship Service OR VIEW ON-LINE SERVICE ‘Sunday Evening: 7:30-9PM (Via Zoom Virtual Platform) ON YOUTUBE LATER *Covid-19 Safety Protocols Strictly followed." Tel: 416-892-8123 Fax: 1-866-281-5983 Bishop M. Brissett ‘Tel: 289-830-6717 kc Ewen (Seniot Pastor) Pastor Carl Cunningham (Associate Pastor) Pastor Dean Lachington (Leed Elde ‘Twitter: @Oakvillesda 1469 Nottin E Email: mjbrisse@yahoo.ca JESUS IS LORD Email: oakvillechurchsda@gmail.com [fq insidehalton.com