Nine from Kamloops area representing Indigenous Nations, communities at nationals

May 4, 2026 | 2:53 PM

KAMLOOPS — Tayo Jackson is no stranger to the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, a three-time tournament participant with Team B.C.

“It’s a great opportunity just to learn about cultural importance,” Jackson said. “You get to experience a lot of nations from around Canada. We get given time throughout the tournament to experience the different stands that are set up for us. My first year, they had a smudge station. That was quite impactful and important before the tournament.”

Nine local players are representing their Indigenous Nations and communities at this year’s national championships, which began on Monday (May 4) in Regina: Jackson (Goodfish Lake), Jacob Minnabarriet (Bonaparte First Nation), Austin Archibald (Taykwa Tagamou Nation), Mattias Holte (Nuxalk Nation), Trey Alphonse (Tl’etinqox), Ts’ewtin Gottfriedson (Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc), Payton Correia (Adams Lake Indian Band), Kaia Fletcher (Tlatlasikwala First Nation) and Destry Eli (Westbank First Nation).

Eli was an affiliated player (AP) for B.C. at nationals last year in Kamloops, but did not see the ice.

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“It was pretty tough,” Eli said. “But I had my goalie coach, Michael, and we set it as a goal to make the team this year since I was so close last year. That goal came very much true.”

The B.C. girls – who won silver last year at nationals – opened the tournament with a 5-2 win over Saskatchewan on Monday. Eli picked up the win between the pipes.

Nationals were held last year in Kamloops, where the B.C. mixed team played to a last-place finish

“Last year, we learned how to face adversity really well,” Jackson said. “It’s a quick tournament. You don’t have time to focus on the losses. You really just have to pick up where you left off.”

Holte is in a similar position to Eli, an AP at last year’s tournament who is expected to make an impact on the ice this year.

“Oh, big relief,” Holte said when asked about the moment he found out he made the team after tryouts. “It felt nice. A lot of my buddies made it right before, so it was a big relief. I’m expecting a big, physical tournament.”

“I’m really looking forward to the experience,” Minnabarriet said. “It’s my style of tournament, more physical and you make plays with your head.”

Ontario knocked off B.C. 4-1 on Monday afternoon in mixed action. Jackson scored for B.C. in a losing effort.

by Marty Hastings

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Nine from Kamloops area representing Indigenous Nations, communities at nationals

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