All nations invited to play

Page 9

Like many others, Leonard Matthews has a dream. Unlike many others, however, he's actually doing something about it.

Matthews is the founder of the Gathering of Nations Cup Aboriginal Memorial Festival, an inaugural event scheduled for April 15 to 18 in Rouyn-Noranda, Que.

Matthews is hoping to have 80 adult Native hockey teams participate in the tournament, but what would make this tourney special is its Nations category, featuring tribe versus tribe.

"A lot of people are saying it's a great idea," Matthews said, "and I don't think it's ever been done before."

Matthews said he is simply forging ahead with his dream. "A lot of people have ideas, but all they ever do is talk about it," he said. "It prevents people from achieving what they're dreaming about. I'm just going ahead and putting my plan to work."

The Nations category would be unique if Matthews can pull it off. Matthews, who hails from Ouje-Bougoumou Cree Nation, said plans are already underway to ice a Quebec-based Cree club.

Invitations have also been extended to officials of the following First Nations: Abenaki, Algonquin, Atikamekw, Huron, Inuit, Malecite, Micmac, Mohawk, Montagnais, Naskapi, Ojibway and the Cree of Northern Ontario.

Matthews is hoping to have at least 10 entries in the Nations division. Though the event is open to all tribes across the country, Matthews believes during the tournament's first year there might only be participants from Quebec and Ontario.

He added he has been thrilled with the support the proposed tournament has received-even though he did not start publicizing the event in earnest until mid-December.

"A lot of people are interested in this," he said, "and I've had people call me and tell me they heard about the event and they are interested in it."

Matthews said he has been planning this event for the past 14 months. His idea sprouted from the Paix de Braves, signed in February of 2002 between the Quebec government and the Crees. This agreement, forged on a political platform which ultimately gave the Crees in Quebec economic sovereignty, also strengthened political, economic and social relations.

Matthews reinforced the fact the Paix de Braves is not just political in nature but a cultural and social agreement as well.

Thus, besides the on-ice action, the Gathering of Nations Cup Aboriginal Memorial Festival will feature plenty of other activities. For example, there are plans to have a First Nations flag contest, as well as traditional knowledge, healing and wellness workshops.

The event would be open to all, including non-Natives.

"That's the reason we're doing it," Matthews said. "We're inviting people to come and have some fun with us."

Ted Nolan, a former coach of the year in the National Hockey League, has agreed to act as the event's spokesman. Officials have also invited various current and former Native NHL players to attend.

Native players in the NHL now, however, are unable to commit to the event since they could be participating in their own pro playoffs at the time.