Celebrating Owen Rice
Courtesy Kanesatake Health Center
Owen Rice was a fundamental part of the Kahnawake Junior B Hunters winning the Founders Cup this year, an accomplishment which recognized on Wednesday by fellow Kanesatake community members.
Students and staff members from local schools celebrated Rice’s win at the Kanesatake Health Center (KHC), with the Founders Cup being brought to Kanesatake for the first time ever.
Rice was presented with a handmade wooden lacrosse stick crafted by Travis Gabriel of the Health Center, as well as monetary support for his future in lacrosse.
“It shows the kids that even someone from here can make it out and do big things in sports, and I hope all the kids look up to him as a role model because at the end of the day, he is,” said Kyle Canatonquin, who was in attendance at the Health Center for the event.
Once a Junior B lacrosse player himself, Canatonquin recognized how big of an accomplishment the Founder’s Cup win was for both Rice and the community.
“When I was growing up and playing in the First Nations Junior B Lacrosse League, I used to dream of even getting the opportunity to make it to the Founder’s Cup. We never made it,” said Canatonquin.
“So for us to have someone from back home make it all the way there, after coming back from a 2-0 deficit against the Elora Hawks and winning the whole tournament is nothing short of amazing.”
He said that most of all, Kanehsata’kehró:non of all walks of life are proud of Rice.
“Keep going Owen, you have a whole community rooting for you, and we cannot wait to see what you do next,” said Canatonquin.
