The 2026 Hockey Tournament in Burns Lake was an exciting weekend of sport, bringing together players of all ages and backgrounds. People travelled from near and far to take part, with people coming from as far as Smithers. You could see connections forming and strong support within the teams, not just for themselves, but for others. 

The tournament is now a long-standing tradition of Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS). “The hockey tournament began in 2013 as a winter wellness initiative to bring the community together during the darkest months of the year. The strong support from spectators, cheering in the stands and celebrating with pompoms, reflects the significance of sport to Carrier and Sekani people,” says CSFS Chief Administrative Officer Travis Holyk. “We are proud to continue the tournament annually, and participation has grown steadily, with this year’s event reaching capacity and generating a waitlist. Following the COVID-related pause, community members frequently asked about the tournament’s return, demonstrating its ongoing importance.” 

You could see the excitement from the community and beyond: friends and family came to cheer, volunteers showed up each day to support the event, and players left with smiles and exclusive CSFS Hockey Tournament jerseys. The coveted “Wighehc'onleeh” (Be Kind) Most Sportsmanlike awards for individuals and teams went to Audrey Luggi, Sterling Erickson, Leah Jack, Michelle Harper, and Team White. Their well-deserved awards came with a variety of gifts; most notably, Audrey Luggi received a new hockey stick, which she has already put to good use by scoring two goals at a tournament since then. 

There was no shortage of talent, but the main goal of the tournament was to gather the community for a fun-filled weekend. As Audrey Luggi says, “Hockey brings me joy every day; it brings me happiness every time I step out onto the ice, and it helps me connect with family and friends,” which is at the heart of what this tournament is meant to do. 

This tournament wouldn’t have been possible without the work of the Health Promotion and Physical Activity team, which supports in-community, sustainable recreation and physical activity within our member Nations. To find out more about this program, visit www.csfs.org/hppa