Salish Storm practices mix hockey skills with traditional Indigenous teachings to create a positive link between the sport and First Nations culture. (submitted photo/Salish Storm)

By Alex Rawnsley

on the ice

NHLPA partnership helping Nanaimo-based Indigenous hockey program expand

Sep 17, 2024 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — A local hockey program focused on linking Indigenous teachings with hockey is continuing to expand.

The Salish Storm have grown over the last five years from pickup games and drills at a box lacrosse court, to fully-fledged weekly hockey practices for around 200 kids from several First Nations.

Enrolment in Nanaimo and expansion across the Island and Lower Mainland is to a point where the program caught the attention of the National Hockey League Players’ Association, who have made multiple donations of equipment to get kids on the ice.

“The NHLPA reached out to us when they heard about the program and it dovetailed nicely with an initiative that found us down in Victoria starting up a new program in west Saanich,” Alan MacDonald, director of operations for the club, told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Twenty-five full sets of hockey equipment were received this summer by the Storm, in addition to dozens of other sets for kids last year.

MacDonald said the club and their coaches keep and maintain the gear which not only helps ensure its longevity but also helps remove transportation issues as a barrier for kids to play.

The donation comes with multiple positive benefits for the program.

Not only are kids outfitted with the proper gear, the Salish Storm can save upwards of $500 to $1,000 per player, money which comes from a variety of corporate and government sources.

“We can look at other programming, we can onboard more coaches, we can look at doing exciting things like jamborees and tournaments, and special events,” MacDonald said, adding they hope to organize one or two large gatherings with their five-member programs this season.

A main pillar of the Storm program is mixing Indigenous cultural lessons with skills and drills.

Elder participation, drumming, cultural lessons and histories are all woven in with passing, puck handling and shooting.

MacDonald said the idea is to form a positive link between a participant’s culture and the rink.

“It’s really important for Indigenous kids when they show up at the arena to see Indigenous people occupying, enjoying and being comfortable in that environment. While lacrosse has provided some of that access, I think many of these families have not really enjoyed the access to a hockey environment.”

As part of a reward for players, some attend local junior hockey games either as fans or to skate during stoppages and help maintain the ice.

Youth with the Salish Storm are regular fixtures at Nanaimo Clippers games, helping the on-ice staff at Frank Crane Arena keep the ice clean. (submitted photo/Salish Storm)

Dayna Miles, a board member with the organization, said it’s been incredible to watch the program expand beyond Nanaimo over the last five years.

“We just did it out of the lacrosse box, it was pretty grassroots, very small. We then brought in some rollerblades and after doing that for a year we were able to move it onto the ice and it grew and expanded into other communities.”

She added a number of players have made the jump to minor hockey through the Storm program, while others still pursue both to take advantage of extra ice time and coaching.

Pride in growing their skill set and being a part of a team helps elsewhere too.

“It’s really an identity that they take with them and that they put out onto the ice and that translates to their behaviour at school, their behaviour at home.”

Equipment from the NHLPA is also being earmarked for a new branch of the Storm program in the downtown Eastside area of Vancouver, with the program working collectively with the Vancouver School Board.

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