Beloved NHL enforcer Gino Odjick dies at 52
Gino Odjick, a former NHL player from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation near Maniwaki, passed away January 15 at the age of 52, his family announced in a social media post.
Sports
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Fishing derbies in Mistissini and Ouje hand out tens of thousands in prize money
Successive weekends in July saw dozens of angling teams chasing prize walleye and pike in Lake Mistissini and Opekimiska Lake. Organizers were delighted by the level of entries, which returned to pre-pandemic levels. Plans are in the works to grow both derbies next year.
Neil Blacksmith conquers 113km triathlon in Mont-Tremblant
After years of intense training and support from his community and family, Neil Blacksmith has finally done what he set out to do. On June 26, the triathlete from the Cree Nation of Mistissini completed his first-ever Ironman 70.3 Challenge in Mont-Tremblant, finishing the grueling course with a time of 5:58:22.
Mistissini’s Israel Mianscum invited to Habs development camp
Like most young hockey players in Quebec, Israel Mianscum grew up dreaming of one day wearing a Montreal Canadiens jersey. He recently experienced the next best thing when he was invited to the team’s development camp, held July 10-13 in Brossard.
Cree Nation Bears shine at international pee-wee tournament
The Cree Nation Bears impressed at their first appearance at the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in Quebec City May 1-15. The Bears won their first two games at the prestigious tournament before being eliminated by an Italian team.
Pakesso Mukash performs national anthem partly in Cree before Montreal-Toronto match
For anyone who has ever loved hockey, attending a Montreal Canadiens game against the arch-rival Toronto Maple Leafs on a Saturday night is a thrilling experience. The game played March 26 held special significance for Pakesso Mukash – he was singing the national anthem in Cree, French and English for the team’s inaugural Indigenous Celebration Night.
Hundreds turn out for snowmobile races in Mistissini and Waswanipi
Mistissini and Waswanipi recently hosted end-of-season snowmobile races – the Mistissini Snowmobile Challenge March 11-13, and the Waswanipi Cross Country Challenge March 19-20.
Nearly 200 racers compete in weekend of races at the 2022 Snowmobile Challenge
Ouje-Bougoumou hosted the 2022 Snowmobile Challenge March 5-6, attracting over 175 racers and hundreds more onlookers for the annual race.
Brigette Lacquette becomes NHL’s first female Indigenous scout
Brigette Lacquette continues to blaze new trails at hockey’s highest levels, both on and off the ice. In 2018 she was the first Indigenous woman to play for the Canadian Olympic team. Now Lacquette is a scout in the National Hockey League.
Fishers competed for $125,000 in prizes for pike and walleye
Nearly 300 people participated in the 25th Waswanipi Old Post Fishing Derby this year August 6-8, taking home over $125,000 in cash prizes.