The Lil Bands hockey tournament is back again for another year

First Nations youth from communities across northwestern Ontario have taken over the Dryden Memorial Arena for the week.

The Lil Bands First Nations Hockey Tournament is back for its 21st year with 35 teams and is something young players from northern communities look forward to each year.

It was created as a way to get youth involved in sports.

Ziggy Beardy is one of the organizers of the tournament and says despite a drop in numbers and a few challenges this year's tournament is going great.

"Steve Fiddler was the one that had initially started this tournament way back and it's just to get the young people involved in sports," said Beardy. "When he traveled up North and during his work days, we saw that there wasn't that many hockey you know, games or events taking place up North. So he decided to start this hockey tournament in Sioux Lookout and from there it just grew."

The highest number of teams they've had in the tournament was around 65 teams, but says there's been a drop since the Covid-19 pandemic began it was difficult to get those numbers back to pre-pandemic numbers.

Some of those challenges getting communities to attend include expenses and even transportation, with Beardy noting this year unsafe ice roads was a factor in some not attending.

"We used to rely on the winter roads to bring in players, but there's one team that tried so hard to come. They tried to charter, but then the weather was down, so they couldn't make it and they tried the winter road. But the leadership at the community said, you know, they didn't want to endanger their young people."

Beardy says there have also been discussions about potentially moving the tournament somewhere else due to rising costs, but says if they were to move the tournament somewhere else it will still be expensive.

He says at the moment, Dryden is a good spot to have it and they already have a relationship with local businesses who anticipate the tournament each year.

"The City of Dryden and the people have been really good. They've been work welcoming us every year and the businesses of course like our tournament. It brings, you know, business to the local economy here and we just develop friendships and we just develop networks," said Beardy.

WATCH I Ziggy Beardy explains the rise of the Lil Bands tournament:

How Lil Bands grew into the Stanley Cup for First Nations youth

2 years ago

Duration 7:54

Ziggy Beardy helped start the Lil Bands hockey tournament 20 years ago. Since then, it's grown from a 'rag tag' tournament of four teams, to the top tournament for young First Nations hockey players in northwestern Ontario. He explains how that happened, and the mission to provide a positive space for young people. 

Despite some of the challenges to make it run, Beardy says it's worth it to see how youth are having fun and enjoying themselves.

"They don't have a care in the world. When they come in, they're all full of smiles and ready for the day, ready for their games, and they're just enjoying themselves. That's the main thing that keeps me going."

The tournament wraps up this Sunday.