From sippy cups to Stanley Cups, these First Nations fathers share the love of their children

Father's Day is an opportunity to honour the love and leadership that so many of our fathers, step dads, and guardians have given us in our lives. For others, it is a complicated day that can be experienced many different ways.

CBC Indigenous spoke with three dads about the beauty and the hardships of fatherhood.

Former Stanley Cup champion Reggie Leach, known as the Riverton Rifle, was famed for his play during his NHL career from 1970-83, and for his time with the Philadelphia Flyers during the "Broad Street Bullies" era.

He's a father of two and said his greatest joys were the day his children were born and the day his son won the Stanley Cup.

"I think that's the thing with our kids, you let them do what they enjoy. Cherish all the moments that you have," he said.

Now Leach, 75, is a coach at the Shoot to Score hockey camps and his current boss, his son Jamie Leach, joined him on the call. 

Jamie, 55, is no stranger to hoisting the Stanley Cup either, winning in 1992 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Leaches are members of Berens River First Nation in Manitoba and are the first and only First Nations father and son pair to win the Stanley Cup as players.

Speaking of his own son, Jamie agreed with his dad about cherishing moments.

"The more and more that you get to witness — graduating high school, getting his licence, making some hockey teams that he wanted to make — it's just so nice to be a part of."

What kind of fatherly advice does a Stanley Cup champion share to a fellow Stanley Cup champion?

Jamie Leach shared the ice with names like Lemieux, Gretzky, and Messier, but nothing compares to the emotion that comes when he shares lessons that he learned from his dad. 

"He always told me whatever you do in your life, you shoot to score," said Jamie.

"If you're going to do something, do the best you possibly can. You shoot to score."

"Now he passes that onto his son," Reggie said with pride.

Resilience

But what if hockey stardom wasn't your destiny, how does a regular dad get by doing his best?

Charles Bird, 48, is a father of two and grandfather of one from Black River First Nation in Manitoba. A child of residential school survivors, Bird has put a life together that his children are proud of.

Bird has had sole custody of his children since 2009. His son has special needs and his daughter is studying Indigenous language at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

It wasn't the challenges that this generation presented that Bird worried about. His father struggled in the face of trauma and addiction that residential schools brought on. 

A promise between father and son led to Bird making better decisions. 

"He told me, 'Son, live a better life for yourself. Make better choices. Don't fall into addictions and don't let them overcome you," said an emotional Bird.

"You can be better than that, and you will be, because I believe in you."

A promise that Bird said he has held for his father to this day.

The celebration of his grandson's arrival and graduating alongside his son are two events that Bird was elated to share. 

His son Thurston graduated from high school the same year that Bird upgraded his education through the school division's adult education department, so they were able to walk the stage together.

Fatherly advice

As for some advice from the dads to other dads:

Reggie Leach: "Listen to your kids, listen to what they have to say to you."

Jamie Leach: "Foster a relationship with your children where they can come to you with anything."

Charles Bird: "My best advice is take all the support you can, even if you don't need it."