Alberta Treaty Hockey tourney plays as reconciliation ‘stepping stone’

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on April 19, 2022.

There were 108 Indigenous youth hockey teams from the U7 all the way up to the U21 level that convened in Lethbridge for the Alberta Treaty Hockey Association tournament over the weekend.
There were 12 communities that came together from all over Alberta for the tournament.
This was the first time that the tournament has been held in the city after the normal host site in Calgary was struggling to find ice for the players.
“It’s a stepping stone to help start the reconciliation process between Lethbridge and the surrounding First Nations people and the First Nations people in general,” said Marty Wildman, ATHA president.
Wildman said the tournament went off really well.
“I guess at the end of the day when you see those kids’ faces light up and their smiles and stuff like that, it makes all thisÉworthwhile,” said Wildman. “The times where we feel defeated; there’s kids there that are smiling and just skating around like they’ve won. It’s a big deal to them, so we try to make it as friendly as possible and that’s what keeps us coming back every year.”
The tournament provided an opportunity for structure for the youth and to reconnect with friends and family.
“It provides a structure for healthy living, healthy lifestyles and that’s kind of what we want to see,” he said.
” É Like you see younger kids that mimic the U21 division — so it’s a good thing. It provides a lot of good opportunity for other youth to want to get involved. It’s something that’s greatly needed I think.”
Wildman said there was a lot of excitement to play.
“A lot of itching to go,” he said. “The excitement caused a little bit of fumbling here and there and stuff like that. But in the end, we all came together.”
There were gold, silver and bronze medal winners in each division.