b'LNHLLittle Native HockeyLeague TournamentBY JAMIE MONASTYRSKIAamjiwnaang First Nation hosts successful 48th annual LNHLI t was another year of hat tricks, high scores and nail- cousins, friends, and to make more friendships. It gives the biting championship games at this years 48th annualplayers a sense of pride playing for their Nations. My son didnt Little Native Hockey League Tournament (LNHL)play last year and he missed it, so he played hockey this year just held March 11-14. It turned out to be the largest in theso he could play in LNHL. I see the friendships my daughter organizations history, with over 2,500 competitors and 227has made from playing with kids from our local First Nations.teams from across First Nations in Ontario participating. For Marian Jacko, the recently elected President of the Over the course of four days, over 550 games took place inLNHL, this years tournament was a memorable experience for what has become a much-lauded annual tradition for youngFirst Nations children, youth, families and their communities. First Nations athletes, their families and communities. For the vast majority of teams, the experience was positive, Overall, the LHNL is a great motivator for young hockeyand families and community members celebrated together in players. There are families who put their kids in hockeyspirit of the four pillars of the LNHL, which are sportsmanship, because of the fun that they had playing in LNHL, sayscitizenship, education and respect, she says.Ashley Albert, a mother from Chippewas of the Thames FirstI have received so many messages telling me what the tour-Nation, whose two children played this year.nament has meant to children. They talk about the relation-The LNHL is important for players because they get aships formed, the friendships formed. They talk about some of chance to play on an all First Nations team. Many may notthe life lessons that children have learned through the game of have the opportunity to play with other First Nations kidshockey and also just being part of the community. The tourna-throughout their regular season. Its a chance to play with yourment is something thats intangibleits a feeling of community 34l ISSUE 1 2019C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE'