The Stanley Cup has made its way to Ontario, where it was celebrated by players and fans alike on Monday.
The iconic trophy, awarded to the winner of the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs, was brought to Six Nations of the Grand River, a First Nations reserve located near Hamilton, Ontario.
Players from the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens, who are currently competing in the Stanley Cup Finals, took part in the festivities. They were joined by members of the Six Nations community, as well as local politicians and dignitaries.
The event was organized by the Six Nations Elected Council and the Six Nations Tourism Office, with the goal of promoting the community and its rich history.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community to showcase our culture and our people,” said Mark Hill, chief of the Six Nations Elected Council.
The Stanley Cup was greeted with traditional Indigenous songs and dances, as well as a lacrosse game between the Six Nations Arrows and the Six Nations Rebels, two local teams.
The Cup also made a stop at the Six Nations of the Grand River Elementary School, where students had the chance to take photos with the trophy and ask questions to the players.
“It’s amazing to see the excitement and joy on the faces of these kids,” said Lightning forward Alex Killorn. “It’s a great opportunity for us to give back to the community and share this experience with them.”
The Stanley Cup has a long history with Indigenous communities, as the original trophy was donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor General of Canada, in 1892. The Cup was originally intended to be awarded to the top amateur hockey team in Canada, but it has since become the most coveted prize in professional hockey.
The visit to Six Nations is just one of many stops the Stanley Cup will make during the off-season, as players and team staff get the chance to spend a day with the trophy and share it with their communities.
As the Stanley Cup Finals continue, the excitement and anticipation for the ultimate prize in hockey grows. But for one day, the focus was on celebrating the Cup and the community of Six Nations.
