Dakotah Woods of Quebec Remparts stresses hard work, dedication and education in cover story feature with Wabun Sun

Dakotah Woods from Chapleau, playing for Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is featured as cover story in the Wabun Sun.

The Wabun Sun is published by the Wabun Tribal Council online and in print with stories and features from its seven First Nations members: Beaverhouse, Brunswick House, Chapleau Ojibwe, Flying Post, Matachewan, Mattagami and Wahgoshig.

I have touched on some of the highlights of Dakotah's interview but you can read it in its entirety at http://wabunsun.com or obtain a print version from Wabun Tribal Council. 

“Playing my first major game for a team like the Remparts was an amazing experience and something that every kid dreams of. As an Aboriginal person and someone from a small northern community this has been an exciting and unbelievable journey,” Dakotah told the Wabun Sun.

Born in Chapleau, Dakotah, who is a member of Brunswick House First Nation. first played in the Chapleau Minor Hockey Association, and his career continued after the family moved to North Bay. He is the son of Isabelle (Saunders) and Gordon Woods.

His mother Isabelle told the magazine that the move, to advance her son's hockey career, was also a chance for her to continue her training and education in the medical field. 

“I feel that Dakotah and I went on a journey together with the family to North Bay to further our opportunities and to live our dreams. He was excelling in hockey and I was also doing my best to complete my training and education in nursing. He was always a dedicated individual and it was never hard to get him to those early morning games, through long days of training or enduring late night road trips. He has worked very hard for what he has achieved and knowing that makes us all very proud of his accomplishments,” said Isabelle. to the Wabun Sun.

My congratulations to Isabelle on completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Nipissing University in 2015

Dakotah's father Gordon commented: “We are so proud of what Dakotah has accomplished these past few years. There have been plenty of sacrifices on his part and for our family as well but we are grateful for the success he has achieved. I have so much pride in his hockey career but I am also happy to have watched him grow from a dedicated boy in hockey to the mature independent man that he has become."

The magazine noted that "Dakotah Woods, a member of Brunswick House FirstN ation, has become a positive role model for the Aboriginal community by achieving the ranks of semi professional hockey with the Quebec Remparts. "

 The article mentioned that his family went to visit him in Quebec City where he now resides, to celebrate his 1 8th birthday this January."He stays in constant touch with his family in Ontario including his older sister Cedar, who recently completed her secondary school education and his younger brother Hunter, who is following in his brothers footsteps and is involved in the Little Native Hockey League in northern Ontario.

 "In terms of his education, Dakotah Woods makes his studies a priority during his regular schedule and hopes to some day follow in his mother's path and develop a career in the medical field. He wants to give other young Aboriginal people the message he learned from his family that hard work and dedication to sports is important but that education should also be prominent.

 “I make myself available to speak to other young people, especially in First Nation communities. I want to share the same teachings I learned from others along my path, that no matter where you are from or what walk of life, if you work hard, keep focused, make good choices and don't allow others to bring you down, anything is possible. It is also at times necessary to make sacrifices to achieve your goals and that means choosing your friends well and being aware of the danger or pitfalls of drugs and alcohol,” commented Dakotah who has a strong connection to his community and its history. 

Wabun Sun noted that his mother Isabelle is the daughter of legendary Chief Joe Saunders and Chief Francis Saunders. Both of Dakotah's grandparents were instrumental in creating positive developments for their community and Chief Joe Saunders was also a founding member of the Wabun Tribal Council.

“My biggest thanks are to my parents for everything they've done for me and to my sister Cedar and my younger brother Hunter, for all their support. There have been so many people who have helped me on my path and I wish I could list them all but that would take a book,” said Dakotah in his interview.

During the off season of hockey, mainly from June to August, Dakotah makes himself available to speak to First Nation youth at public events in workshops or motivational speaking.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Dakotah Woods of Quebec Remparts shares details on importance of finding good hockey stick

Dakotah Woods, who is playing for the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, joins our series on finding your good stick with his comments on its importance to success as a hockey player.

Dakotah, from Chapleau, who is also a member of Brunswick House First Nation, took time to do a texting interview on how he decides on his hockey stick.

Dakotah commented that finding the right stick is "pretty important. It's the thing you use most as a hockey player other than our skates."

He explained that the process in selecting a hockey stick depends on a player's preference - by the curve, the flex, the roundedness of the shaft.

"The way I pick my sticks is by talking with one of the stick reps and tell him where I like my kick point in my sticks, my curve, the flex and length. Then you look to grip. See how you like your grip.

"I like a grippy stick with a tarsal pattern. You gotta make sure you get the one that's right for you. One you like.

Dakotah's favorite stick is a "Bauer apx. It's light and has a nice kick point, the blade is strong so my shot doesn't fumble."

After texting with Dakotah, I realized how out of touch with the game I am since coaching my last game in 1987 at the Mrs A.W. Moore Arena at the Chapleau Recreation Centre --- Chapleau All Stars versus NHL All Stars with Guy Lafleur.

With all respect to the awesome players on the teams I coached at the Midget and Intermediate A level when I did hockey in Chapleau between 1970 and 1987, I doubt if any of us could have provided the detailed explanation on selecting the "good stick' that Dakotah did.

Dakotah's hockey career started in Chapleau minor hockey, continued in North Bay for one season ,then on to Sudbury for three seasons, two with Nickel City Suns and one with  Sudbury Wolves, bantam team, and then with the Elliot Lake Wildcats of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. This is his first season with the Remparts at the major junior level.

He is the son of Isabelle (Saunders) and Gordon Woods.... thanks again Gordie for your help.

And, thanks Dakotah for being part of the finding your good stick series. All the best!!!!

Chapleau refugee project another 'spectacular' instance of its citizens caring about others

(Ludie O'Hearn photo)

But, seriously, "Why live in Chapleau?", George Evans asked in an article he wrote in one of his Snapshots of Chapleau's Past series, all of which are available online at the Chapleau Public Library site.

As I followed the Chapleau Refugee Project, headed by Father Sebastien Groleau of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Facebook and in the Chapleau Express, I really wondered if the community would pull it off, but suddenly there was the headline in the paper, 'Chapleau has done it again!'

And, Chapleau's newest family of mother, father and six children arrived to a wonderful welcome in the Lucien Pilon Hall at Sacred Heart church.  How did I know so quickly about the welcome? I followed it moment by moment on Facebook where photos were posted on an ongoing basis.  My thanks to Ludie O'Hearn for giving me permission to use some of her photos.

George Evans would not have doubted for a moment that Chapleau did it again. As many will recall, George arrived in Chapleau in 1961 to teach at Chapleau High School where he was also assistant principal until he retired in 1989. He moved from the community returning regularly and in due course returned to live in Chapleau permanently.

He wrote his article about why live in Chapleau after his return. I decided to share some of his comments because, even though I have been away now more than 25 years, Chapleau is still home. and George captured the essence of the community so well.

George wrote that "on a Spring day, there is a view from the overpass that takes the breath away. The eye ... follows the Kebsquahseshing River past the town, into the green wilderness of the Canadian Shield. You know that the water in this river flows into James Bay. The river was once, in the days of the 'gentlemen and traders of the Hudson's Bay Company, the only way in and out of this place. It has always been a distant, challenging place."

Chapleau's newest family. Father Sebastien Groleau on left. (Photo courtesy of Ludie O'Hearn)

He mentions the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the lumber industry, the highways, and 'public assets" including the hospital, recreation centre, the schools, the civic centre with public library, one of his favourite places,and the water treatment plant and sewage system.

Then he proceeds to answer his own question "Why live in Chapleau?" and moves beyond the natural beauty of the location. It is here, in my view, that he captures the essence of Chapleau  -- its people, as the community's greatest resource.

The drummer broke down communication barrier. All children love drums. (Photo courtesy of Ludie O'Hearn)

George wrote: Chapleau's underlying sense of community attracts and holds the affection of its citizens. The town is still a town of very self-reliant people who care about each other," and if I might add, those in need in the wider community of the world like the newest family, refugees from another place.  

When the first citizens arrived in 1885 and following, they were not called "refugees" but they came seeking a better life for themselves and their families and carved a community out of the wilderness. Some of the descendants of those people have been assisting with the refugee project!''

He mentions the importance of volunteers in all aspects of community life, and pays special attention to the first Relay for LIfe in 2008, calling it a "spectacular instance" of the town rallying together to remember victims of cancer and to celebrate survivors.

"It is good to live on the solid granite base of the Canadian Shield among the lakes and forests and it is the people of Chapleau who make it so," George wrote.

See names below

If George was still with us I am sure he would have been involved in the refugee project, and have added it to his list of "spectacular" instances in the life and times of the community. I sure do.  George died in a motor vehicle accident in 2012, just before the 90th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School, which he was helping to organize.

One of my favourite quotes is by Stephen Grellet, a Quaker missionary:  “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good things, therefore, that I can do, any good kindness that I can show a fellow being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again”  The refugee project is a shining example of Grellet's comment. Congratulations and welcome to Chapleau's newest family!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photo info   George was deputy reeve of Chapleau in 1978 when the Chapleau Civic Centre was opened. He was MC for the occasion. From left are Lt. Gov. Pauline McGibbon, her husband Donald, George at podium, MJM and aide to the L-G. In back are Mrs. Ernie Gilbert and Rev. William Ivey.