We love Brigette Lacquette, the first First Nations player to be named to Canada’s women’s hockey team; talk about a role model! Last week, the Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association from Flin Flon, Manitoba, was named the 2023 recipient of the Second Assist, a $50,000 grant from Kruger Products to bring more diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) to the sport and help build a more equitable and inclusive future for kids. As an ambassador of the Second Assist, Brigette has seen first-hand how the program has helped Canadian hockey families in need. We chatted with her to learn how the program supports DE&I in Canadian hockey and the importance of fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all players. —Noa Nichol
Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.
My name is Brigette Lacquette, I am from Mallard, Manitoba, and Ojibwe from Cote First Nation, Saskatchewan. I’m an Olympian. I played hockey on the National Team for a number of years. I currently work for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League as a Pro Scout. I am also a member of the Player Inclusion Coalition for the NHL. I have a partner named Cobi Mustus and we have two dogs. An aussiedoodle named Finley and a Pyrene mix, Mirabel.
As the first First Nations player to be named to Canada’s women’s hockey team, what is your take on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in sports?
Diversity, equity and Inclusion are incredibly important. It was tough at times as a female playing hockey in a male-dominated sport, as well as being Indigenous, having to face racism and discrimination. I was fortunate enough to have my family that supported my hockey career, and they helped me through those times. I realize that it’s not like that for all, and my hope is to continue to use my voice and my platform to help create change.
How do you think Kruger Products’ $50,000 Second Assist grant, which was recently awarded to the Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association in Flin Flon, Manitoba, will help the kids in that community?
Hockey is an expensive sport—I saw this firsthand as my parents had three kids in Minor Hockey. I am so incredibly thankful we had our parents and our First Nation, as they had helped out some years to offset some costs. The Kruger Second Assist for the Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association will go a long way for the association. They’re pretty isolated in Northern Manitoba and I know they are quite far from the nearest city. It will help in a number of ways, including supporting DE&I on the ice. This is why I am proud to partner with the Kruger Products, Second Assist program.
What is your biggest hope for the future of sports? In what other areas do we need to improve/evolve?
In terms of DE&I and the sport of hockey, we have come a long way and are trending in the right direction, slowly but surely. It definitely helps to have programs like Kruger’s Big Assist and Second Assist promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Personally, what’s next/coming up for you?
Right now, I am focusing on doing my job to the best of my ability and staying present in every moment.
share:
Be the first to comment