The Tłı̨chǫ Government invited NHL defenceman Ethan Bear and his wife, Lenasia Bear, to Behchokǫ̀ on June 28 to host a meet and greet event as community speakers and Indigenous role models.
The Hockey, Heart & Culture event took place at the Cultural Centre building in Behchokǫ̀ after the community finished hosting a ball hockey tournament for youth from June 26-28.
During his visit, Ethan Bear was able to meet with hockey fans, interact with some youth from the ball hockey tournament, and speak about his journey throughout his hockey career.
“It’s been fun to interact with everybody,” Bear told Cabin Radio.
Bear said speaking at events like these is important to him because of how other role models had a positive influence on him while he was growing up.
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“I remember learning from what they said and interpret it into my life, so that’s what I try to do for others,” he said.
“I try to be very relatable, so people can listen to my story and say ‘I can do that,’ or ‘I can be like that,’ because that’s what I needed growing up.”
Bear said he hopes to encourage youth to “believe in yourself, to work hard, love who you are.”
“From what I’ve seen or what I’ve experienced through sports or education, you could really do whatever you set your mind to,” he said.
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Lenasia Bear, who is also an Indigenous public speaker and a fitness advocate, opened up about how being involved with sports throughout her life had supported her personal growth and how she wishes to encourage that for others.
“I grew up around sports and in a sports family, so it’s been my whole life,” she explained.
“It definitely keeps me grounded and it makes me feel like I have purpose.
“We just want to make sure that we spread that message that being healthy is fun and can give you an amazing life and opportunities.”
Asked about her experience speaking in Behchokǫ̀, she said: “It’s been amazing to see all the smiling faces in the room.”
“Me and Ethan just love to be able to talk to the youth about the importance of sports and movement,” she said.
She described this as the couple’s first time visiting the Northwest Territories.
“We were just so excited to be able to see the way of life up here in the communities,” she said, “and we’re so amazed that we’re definitely going to come back.”
