The Okanagan Indian Band hosts its first Syilx Hockey School in Vernon, blending hockey skills with culture for U7-U18 players.
Community and Culture Take Center Ice
A first for OKIB youth hockey
The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) hosted its inaugural Syilx Hockey School at Kal Tire Place South in Vernon during the first week of August. The program welcomed 51 minor hockey-aged players (U7-U18) from OKIB and neighboring bands, focusing on skill development while celebrating Syilx culture and language.
Local heroes inspire the next generation
Camp organizers Jeremy Holy Rider Tompson and Brendon Caron aimed to combine hockey instruction with cultural learning. Tompson, a former WHL and minor pro player, reflected on how access to such a camp would have been unimaginable during his youth. “For our youth today to experience our culture in a hockey setting… it’s just going to grow from here,” he said.
On-ice training and star appearances
Participants spent five days on and off the ice, learning hockey fundamentals alongside dryland training, including simulated golf exercises. The final day featured a surprise visit from Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, an alum of the Tri-City Americans and a supporter of Indigenous youth programs.
Preserving language and tradition
Off-ice sessions emphasized the Nsyilxcen language, with instructors integrating the language into daily activities. Tompson noted that this approach allowed children to use the language in natural, engaging ways, reinforcing cultural identity alongside athletic skill.
Community support drives the program
The camp benefited from broad support, including BC Hydro, Chandos Construction, and WHL donations of jerseys and equipment. Local hockey organizations, including the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames, contributed, reflecting the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
A legacy of hockey in the Okanagan
Newly elected OKIB Chief Dan Wilson highlighted the importance of hockey in community history, sharing stories of past local teams and his own early experiences in the sport. He emphasized that programs like this camp can help youth stay active, develop leadership skills, and connect with cultural roots.
Merchandise fosters pride and engagement
The camp also featured custom merchandise designed by Vernon-based Nation Party Collective, featuring the OKIB logo and Syilx figures like the porcupine. Sales were highly popular, with proceeds supporting future hockey initiatives.
Looking forward
Organizers and community leaders view the camp as the beginning of a lasting program. “The camp is a community-driven project… we are looking forward to having more kids participate next year in the greatest game on earth,” said Chief Wilson, underlining the dual goals of athletic and cultural enrichment.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
