Thichum Forest Products recently convened the annual Thichum Cup ball hockey tournament in Tla’amin Nation from June 21 to 23, which brought together Indigenous communities for a weekend of sports and celebration.
The General Manager, Adam Culos, described the weekend as exceptional, characterized by pleasant weather, high-quality hockey, and, most significantly, the sight of children’s joyous smiles. This year’s tournament was themed “qatᶿɛnxegəs,” which translates to “coming together” in the indigenous language. Culos emphasized the importance of combining the Adam Louie and Lloyd Hackett Memorial with the tournament, as it serves to honor the memory of these two individuals.
The tournament, initially organized in 2009 by Codie Louie, Taylor St. Amand, Jacky Harry, and Sam Hackett, holds a special place in the hearts of the community. Culos conveyed the organization’s enthusiasm in playing a role in ensuring the continuation of this meaningful memorial tournament through the Thichum Cup.
This year’s event succeeded in uniting visiting First Nations from W̱SÁNEĆ and Sts’ailes, along with neighbours from qathet, fostering a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Throughout the three days, the tournament attracted a significant number of participants, including over 80 children and 90 adults, marking it as a resounding success.
The Tla’amin Sounders emerged victorious in the adult tournament, showcasing exceptional sportsmanship and skill on the court. Culos expressed gratitude towards Kaycee Mitchell for her outstanding efforts in organizing the tournament, as well as Tla’amin staff Carmen Galligos, Brianne Louie, Callum Galligos, and Davis McKenzie for seamlessly incorporating the kids’ tournament into the Indigenous Day celebrations.
The tournament would not have been possible without the support and contributions from various individuals and organizations. Special acknowledgment was given to Byron Harry and his team for providing vital first aid coverage, as well as the public safety crew for ensuring the welfare of all participants.
Furthermore, Culos extended his thanks to the business sponsors whose support was integral in making the tournament a reality. Notable sponsors included In Situ Archaeology, Pete’s Plumbing, Modern Windows, Rivercity Mini Excavating, Dawn Construction, Winmar, Relay Rentals, Jepson Mobile Booming, Aero, Thunder Bay Tugs, Clark Wilson Legal, Thunder Bay Saw Shop, Tla’amin Lake Contracting, Lund Marine, Gordon Brothers, Marta Trucking, KR Logging, Forbidden Mechanical, Pilldolla Creek, and Sitka Mechanical.
In conclusion, Culos emphasized the importance of community support and involvement in events such as the Thichum Cup, aligning with Thichum Forestry’s commitment to giving back to the community. The successful turnout and positive impact of the tournament have set a hopeful tone for the organization’s future community endeavours.