Celebration time Zach Whitecloud brings the Stanley Cup to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 5:44 PM CDT Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023

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This article was published 23/08/2023 (774 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SIOUX VALLEY DAKOTA NATION — There was a traditional drum circle filled with elders. Powwow dancers in colourful regalia. Freshly made bannock served piping hot to hungry spectators that ranged from the very young to the very old. Familiar sights and sounds and smells, for sure, for the 2,400 or so who call this place home.

And then you had an Elvis impersonator and a pair of Vegas showgirls bringing some sizzle from the Sin City Strip. The Stanley Cup arriving in a horse-drawn carriage. And the guest of honour, Zach Whitecloud, getting a hometown hero’s welcome.

It’s safe to say that in the long and storied history of NHL championship celebrations, the one that went down Wednesday afternoon in western Manitoba was among the most unique, not to mention emotional.

“Thank you for taking the time to come and celebrate a dream of mine since I was a little kid,” Whitecloud, the pride of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, said to thunderous applause from inside the community’s jam-packed Powwow Arbour.

He was fighting back tears at times, clearly moved by the stirring scene.

“There really aren’t many words,” said Whitecloud.

The 26-year-old defenceman reached the pinnacle of his sport in June as his Vegas Golden Knights downed the Florida Panthers to capture the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Whitecloud, an undrafted skater who defied long odds and jumped from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League to the NHL in two whirlwind years, played a key part.

“Thank you for taking the time to come and celebrate a dream of mine since I was a little kid.”–Zach Whitecloud

Yes, this is the stuff of childhood fantasy, a true “pinch me” moment which Whitecloud’s father, Tim, eloquently described to the masses.

“Unbelievable. When Zach was just a young boy, four, five, six, he grew up playing hockey with his cousins and his relatives here in Sioux Valley. There was about 12 of them, they played in all the local arenas around here,” said the proud papa, who is a SVDN councillor.

“Oak Lake. Alexander. Minto. Rivers. Hamiota. Oak River. Kenton. Shoal Lake. Virden. Elkhorn. All the surrounding towns here. That’s where he started his career,” he continued.

“Now, he’s come full-circle. To be able to come home for such an enormous occasion, to come with the Stanley Cup and be able to present it to you people who have supported him 100 per cent.”

It’s obvious the modest, humble Whitecloud is more than just a talented professional athlete to folks in Sioux Valley. He is a leader and role model and living, breathing proof that no goal is too small.

“You provide hope for our people. Sometimes it seems so hopeless,” said Cindy Woodhouse, the Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief.

“We are so proud of you, Zach. Thank you for giving us hope today.”

Woodhouse, who has a young hockey-playing son who now hopes to follow in Whitecloud’s path, said it really does take a village.

“We want to congratulate your Mom and Dad, your family, and this entire community for supporting you and raising such a strong athlete,” she said.

“And all these young people who are here today, to watch this day knowing you grew up on a First Nation, in a little town and skated in all these little rinks.”

Hopes and dreams were a recurring theme of the day, and a hot topic of conversation among the hundreds of families who turned out for the much-anticipated event.

“We are so proud of you, Zach. Thank you for giving us hope today.”–Cindy Woodhouse

“A lot of pride. It shows the kids — it shows us all — that if you put your mind to something, you can get it done,” said local resident Neil Wanbdiska, who brought his nine-year-old son with him.

“Anything is possible if you just work hard and follow your dreams. If you have something you want, you work hard for it,” added Christine Branth, who was joined by her 12-year-old son.

“The kids around here are so excited. To see one of their own achieve this.”

All Cup winners get their own personal day with the trophy, and Whitecloud — one of the younger players on the Golden Knights — had to wait patiently for his turn with hockey’s Holy Grail. Fellow Manitoban-born teammates Mark Stone, Brett Howden and Keegan Kolesar all previously had their moments.

“It was so emotional to see him coming in and hearing the drums and the applause and cheers from all the people. I had such a sense of pride seeing him come in with the Stanley Cup,” said SVDN Chief Jennifer Bone, who called this an “historic event.”

“It’s a special day and exciting for our whole community and the surrounding First Nation communities. Seeing people come out for such a special occasion has been amazing. It’s great to see everyone come together in such a good way.”

Bone and her colleagues wanted to ensure it was a proper celebration of their culture while also giving Whitecloud the moment in the spotlight he so richly deserved.

“We are all so proud of him. I’ve always said he’s an inspiration to our younger generations,” she said.

“To have a role model to look up to and see someone achieving great things, to wanting that for themselves and excelling in their sports and education and living a good life. Whatever their interest is, anything is possible and dreams can come true if you set your mind and your heart to it.”

Whitecloud’s run to the Stanley Cup included scoring the winning goal in Game 1 against Florida, which was witnessed by hundreds of Sioux Valley residents who packed the local Veteran’s Hall for viewing parties.

“I’ve talked to many grandmas and grandpas who never watched hockey before Zach started playing in the NHL. Because the games in Vegas weren’t starting until 9 p.m., they would take after-supper naps so they could stay up to watch the full games,” Tim Whitecloud said to laughter.

Whitecloud, who signed a six-year, US$16.5 million extension in 2021 that carries through to the summer of 2028, ended the public celebration on Wednesday by taking a victory lap around the outdoor facility, posing for pictures and holding the Stanley Cup up high while “Big League” by Tom Cochrane and Red Rider played over the speakers.

“This is just an awesome day. I’m at a loss for words here,” said his father. “Several years ago, during a powwow, I said one of these days Zach may bring the Stanley Cup here to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. Well, now it’s happened.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg