Anishinaabe brothers part of gold-winning team at international hockey tournament

Two young Anishinaabe brothers are bringinghome gold medals after theirteamwona hockey tournament in Sweden at the end of July.

Darrius and Julius Sinopole are from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Sarnia, Ont.

The boys were two of three First Nations players on Team Draftday North, whichwonsix out of seven games in the European Summer Series hockey tournament in Stockholm.

When asked who likes hockey more, 11-year old Darrius yells"Me!"

He's the olderof the two brothers and plays as a defenceman. Hehas been playing hockey for eight years. His10-year-old brother Julius, a goalie, has been playing for five.

"[It] feels good to represent community because there were only three Indigenous kids on the team," said Darrius.

Julius saidhis favourite thing about hockey is the fun and getting to go to tournaments across the world.

Hockey family

The brothers' two other siblings an older brother and younger sisteralsoplay hockey.

Their father Dallas Sinopole played hockey for six years and saidit helped keep him from getting into trouble.

"As parents you want your kids to be better than you are, to do things that you haven't done, that's why it was important for me to make sure that they get these opportunities," he said.

Equipment costs and travel for tournaments can be expensive, but through supportive community, family and friends the Sinopoles are able to let their kids participate in the opportunities presented to them.

Last year Darrius played on Team Draftday in the same tournament that took place in Bolzano, Italy.

He was invited back to play again this year, and Julius was also asked to join the team as well, which was a first for the boys to play on the same team.

Their father saidthat when he watches the boys practise, he can tell how excited they are to be able to play together.

Dallas Sinopole said children canlearn much from hockey: how to lose andhow to win properly, team spirit, respect and sportsmanship.

"There's so much more hockey can teach my kids than what I can teach them," he said.

He saidthat when the boys competedin Sweden, they weren't just representing their community.

"We're representing Indigenous people across Turtle Island,"Sinopole said.

"We're still here and we're making a difference, whether it's for other little kids or for people that are struggling."