WestJet Supports Hockey Access for Cat Lake First Nation Youth

Thunder Bay, ON - For the fourth consecutive year, Mikinakoos Children's Fund is pleased to announce a generous donation from Canadian airline WestJet, directly benefiting youth in the remote First Nation community of Cat Lake. This year's initiative saw an impressive 1,300 pounds of gear collected from local hockey communities in the Oakville and Milton areas, reinforcing the commitment to making sports accessible for Indigenous youth.

The success of this initiative was made possible through the generosity of local hockey organizations and key sponsors. Hope Aero's contribution enabled the purchase of six brand-new sets of youth hockey equipment, while Canadian Tire Store #429 in Oakville provided additional support. Key logistical assistance came from Ryan Johnston and Scott Brown at Gardewine, along with Ihor Melnyk at GLS, who facilitated transportation from Toronto to Thunder Bay. WestJet ensured the equipment reached its final destination with NorthStar Air playing an essential role in ensuring the equipment was successfully transported to Cat Lake First Nation. These collective efforts exemplify the strength of community and corporate collaboration, helping to make hockey accessible to youth in underserved regions.

“WestJet is proud to once again support the Mikinakoos Children's Fund with transporting donated hockey equipment from Southern Ontario to the Cat Lake First Nation community,” said Clifford Comber, WestJet Materials Manager. “As an Indigenous person from Northern Ontario, this initiative is especially meaningful to me. WestJet has a long-standing commitment of supporting employee-led community efforts through our community investment programs, and I'm grateful to play a role in making hockey—Canada's game—more accessible to Indigenous youth in remote communities.”

This donation arrives at a crucial time as the community prepares for an upcoming hockey tournament at the end of the month. The initiative aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 89, which emphasizes reducing barriers to sports participation and promoting excellence in sport. Mikinakoos Children's Fund remains dedicated to addressing these gaps and ensuring equitable opportunities for First Nations children.

“We are so grateful for the support from partners like Westjet,” says Stephanie Paxton, Executive Director at Mikinakoos Children's Fund. “Donations like this truly help the communities that we serve. There are so many barriers to access that these communities face, and for these kids to be able to come out and choose their very own hockey equipment for the first time is a truly special experience.”

The Mikinakoos team recently travelled to Cat Lake First Nation to deliver the hockey gear, as well as several hundred pounds of clothing, in person. “Our team feels very privileged to have been invited to the community to share in this time of giving and excitement,” recounts Paxton. “Being able to spend one on one time with these kids was a very special experience, and I am so moved by the time we were able to share together.”