Peterborough Jr. A Lakers' Deacan Knott Wins Gold at World Junior Box Lacrosse Tournament

Peterborough Jr. A Lakers and Curve Lake’s Deacan Knott won gold at the International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) World Junior Lacrosse Championship at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Man. on Sunday.

Knott (pictured) had a 12.00 goals allowed on average, fifth-best in the tournament. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Jr. A Lakers.

Knott made 46 saves on 55 shots en route to a 16-9 win for Team Canada over Team Haudenosaunee in the finals.

The 19-year-old made an assist in the championship game that led to a shorthanded goal by teammate Silas Richmond.

Knott was named All-World First Team for all goalkeepers. He is eligible for the 2022 National Lacrosse League draft.

Former Laker and Brooklin Lacrosse Club assistant coach Gavin Prout was Canada’s head coach.

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Curve Lake Honoured By Lakefield Chiefs In Partnership At Last Regular-Season Game

Curve Lake First Nation was honoured with a plaque unveiling by the Lakefield Chiefs to celebrate their partnership in their last regular-season game on Tuesday.

(from left to right) Carson Hartwick, Lakefield Chiefs assistant captain; Shawn Dunbar, Chiefs general manager; Michael Battaglia; Andy Mitchell, Selwyn mayor; Anita Locke, Lakefield Ward Councillor: Jeff Jacobs, Deputy Chief of Curve Lake First Nation; Assistant General Manager of Lakefield Chiefs Junior Hockey Club George Ripoll, Chiefs assistant general manager and Jake Hagen, Georgina Ice assistant captain. Photo courtesy of the Lakefield Chiefs.

The plaque is located in the main lobby of the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre that describes the team’s history and affiliation with the Curve Lake First Nation.

Another sign had a land acknowledgement statement of being on the treaty and traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg.

(from left to right) George Ripoll, Chiefs assistant general manager; Shawn Dunbar, Chiefs general manager; Jeff Jacobs, Deputy Chief of Curve Lake First Nation and Andy Mitchell, Selwyn mayor. Photo courtesy of the Lakefield Chiefs.

The Chiefs have been under fire in recent years for the use of Indigenous logos and names for the team’s branding. The plaque explains the team was formed in the 1960s by then-Curve Lake First Nation Chief Dalton Jacobs. The logo (also used by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks) is a symbol of strength and perseverance.

“The community and the players that come play for us, they know our winning culture,” said George Ripoll, Chiefs assistant general manager. “I think they need to understand how we were made and come from.”

As part of the team’s continued partnership with Curve Lake First Nation, the team will wear orange warm-up jerseys with the “Every Child Matters” slogan on the front.

Lakefield fell to the Georgina Ice 4-1 with Carson Hartwick as the lone goal-scorer for the Chiefs.

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Hydro One & GlobalMedic Deliver 500+ Critical Aid Kits To Curve Lake First Nation

Hydro One and GlobalMedic—a registered Canadian charity specializing in disaster relief—have announced the delivery of more than 500 critical aid kits of food and safety supplies to Curve Lake First Nation to support those in need.

Photo courtesy Hydro One

A total of 13,500 kits made up of staple food items, reusable face masks and soap will be provided to Indigenous communities across the province.

Curve Lake First Nation will be distributing the kits at their physically distant Celebration of Sharing event on December 17th, where community members can access additional supports including meals for the holidays.

Kits of critical aid packed by Hydro One volunteers and GlobalMedic. (photo courtesy Hydro One)

“Given the unprecedented nature of this pandemic, we are grateful to have the support of community partners such as Hydro One and GlobalMedic,” says Chief Emily Whetung, Curve Lake First Nation.

“With the higher rates of complicating health factors in First Nation communities, every little bit of support we can provide goes a long way,” she adds. “Distributing these kits at the start of the holiday season will help create a sense of security and support the health and wellbeing of our residents.”

Photo courtesy Hydro One

"We are grateful to work with Indigenous communities during this challenging time," says Penny Favel, Vice President Indigenous Relations, Hydro One.

"Extending our partnership with GlobalMedic is one way we are able to support Indigenous communities and families, including Curve Lake First Nation, to help meet immediate needs.”

Photo courtesy Hydro One

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Turtle Crossing Signs Installed At Curve Lake First Nation To Raise Awareness For Conservation

Anishnabemowin and English language turtle crossing (Mikinaak Aazhga aatigong) signs have been installed at Curve Lake First Nation as part of a project funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, in partnership with Otonabee Conservation and Curve Lake First Nation. Elders from Curve Lake worked together to translate the signs into Michi Saagig, the local dialect of Anishnabemowin, and graphics for the sign were provided by the Toronto Zoo Turtle Island Conservation Program.

“Installing signs in areas where mikinaak [turtles] have been observed crossing the roads is a simple way to remind residents and visitors to Curve Lake First Nation to be aware and take steps to avoid turtles when driving,” says Lorenzo Whetung, Curve Lake First Nation Community Member who initiated the project.

“There are eight species of turtles in Ontario, all of which are listed as Species at Risk by Environment and Climate Change Canada,” says Meredith Carter, Manager, Watershed Management Program for Otonabee Conservation. “Reducing road mortality is an important step in the conservation and protection these important species.”

Mikinaak (Turtle) nesting season is end of May to early July. Females are vulnerable to collisions with vehicles during this time as they travel to and from nesting sites, which often requires crossing roads. Mikinaak (Turtles) can hatch and dig themselves out of their nest chambers from August to October and will then move to water, which may also require crossing roads so be aware of turtles during these times, too.

Staff from The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre remind everyone that if you do stop to assist a mikinaak (turtle) crossing the road, ensuring your own safety is critical.

Make sure you are safe from other vehicles and be sure to wash your hands after touching a mikinaak (turtle). Only lift a snapping turtle from the behind, as they can bite, but please never lift a mikinaak (turtle) by the tail! It is also vitally important to help the mikinaak (turtle) continue in the direction it was originally heading.

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