Curve Lake First Nation youth hockey teams heading to Ontario tourney with help from gas station

CURVE LAKE — The Gen7 Fuel gas station at Curve Lake First Nation has donated $4,000 to the Benogee Sports Club to send five Curve Lake Screaming Eagles hockey teams to the 2023 Little Native Hockey League (Little NHL) tournament this week, hosted by Nipissing First Nation, in Mississauga.

More than 2,400 children aged five to 17 are participating from Indigenous communities across Ontario in the 49th annual event. It’s the first time it has been held since 2019 after it was cancelled three years in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Little NHL, sponsored by Hydro One, was created to build inclusivity in hockey for Indigenous players and focuses on supporting communities and young players through safe play.

The hockey tournament is a chance to highlight the talent of athletes and build confidence in athletes, coaches and volunteers in Indigenous communities across the province, according to a release from Hydro One.

The Gen7 Fuel gas station is part of an Indigenous-run gas station chain which provided $150,000 last year to foster growth and development across Ontario First Nation communities, according to a press release from the company.

Gen7, which opened its Curve Lake station in 2020, started with one station in 2019 with the objective of investing in, assisting and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs in the startup and operation of retail fuel stations and convenience stores in First Nation communities.

There are now seven Gen7 Fuel stations in southern, northern, eastern and western Ontario, including the one on Mississauga Street at Curve Lake.

With every fill-up at a Gen7 Fuel station, a portion is donated into the community.

The proceeds have benefited everything from community centres to women’s shelters in each First Nation that Gen7 serves. In 2023, Gen7 Fuel plans to increase the amount it provides to First Nations up to $200,000, according to the release.

“Gen7 Fuel wants to uplift and support the First Nation communities we’re in and set the example for other businesses to do the same,” stated Abby McLeod, manager of community programs for Gen7 Fuel.

“These are core beliefs for many Indigenous nations.”

“This is who we are,” stated Monica Homer, north district manager at Gen7 Fuel. “Preserving the culture of love and caring is just as important to us as profits.”