Coach Tyson Wuttunee and daughters win Indigenous championship
By Jordan Parker
It was a family outing for Coach Tyson Wuttunee, who oversaw his two daughters and some nieces win the Indigenous Tony Cote Winter Games.
They were representing tribal council Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC) at the tournament as the Female U11/U13 team. Wuttunee and his daughters Berkley and Natalie are part of the Red Pheasant First Nation.
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“It all started earlier this year. I was approached by the BATC, as they caught wind I was coaching in the West Central area,” he said. “They asked me to coach this team, and I had time off work. I got the chance to ice a team with my nieces and daughters, which was amazing. We went undefeated and won gold. It’s quite an achievement.”
Wuttunee and his daughters live in Kerrobert, Sk., and the father was proud to see his girls take part in their first Indigenous tournament.
“We took things to another level. I tell my daughters every day to be proud of who we are and where we come from. We smudge and pray every morning, and due to COVID-19, the winter games hadn’t come in five years. So it was a pleasure to do this and celebrate our culture,” he said.
“When I was younger, I never got to participate. I was always playing AA or spring hockey, so to see my girls do it was amazing.”
The James Smith Cree Nation served as hosts of the Winter Games following a September tragedy that ended with 11 killed and 18 injured in that community and Weldon, Sk, in a mass stabbing. The games – which were developed in 1969 to provide positive experiences in sport for children – were a chance to bring healing to the area. For Wuttunee, it was important to be there for them.
“We wanted to give back to that community. Being there was a good feeling. I became a coach to help kids and give them a great experience on the ice. This was an important opportunity,” he said.
Wuttunee was happy to see the competitive level from his daughters and nieces and said the tournament put a bit more fire in them.
“I like to compete and have a passion for the game. To see my three nieces and daughters push to be leaders was amazing. Berkley was the team captain, my nieces were assistants, and they were doing pre-game workouts and rituals,” he said.
“The kids looked up to that, and seeing it touched my heart. I always want to give back, and to see my daughters as role models showing Indigenous kids what they can become was amazing.”
He said the girls really took everything in stride, and you could tell in their attitudes how much the tournament meant to them.
“When we got home, they got more into working out. They had a confidence boost and now always want to be better. To compete like that and have that opportunity was amazing,” he said.
“I’m so happy they can see the significance of not forgetting where you came from. To see their support of their team and passion was a great thing.”