NHL Player Ethan Bear Visits Nanaimo to Meet Fans

On June 20th 2023, KL hosted an afternoon with Indigenous role model and Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear. Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo was filled with Indigenous families and fans who had gathered for a chance to meet the 26-year old hockey star and to hear about his journey to hockey fame in the NHL.

Many people arrived early to get a good seat in front of the outdoor stage. They were treated to fresh fry bread and “bannock dogs” by Hungry Bubbas Food Truck.

Arriving with his arm in a sling from a shoulder injury suffered at the World Championship less than a month before, Ethan was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd. Chief Mike Wyse of Snuneymuxw provided a welcome to the territory, and started off the gathering in a good way.

Bear was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and raised on the Ochapowace Nation (Cree) where he grew up playing hockey alongside his brother. “Hockey brought our community together,” said Bear. He spoke about the hard work and dedication required to make it to the NHL – where he played his first game with the Edmonton Oilers in 2018. More than once he referred to the discipline it required for him to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay true to his goals.

Bear was the first player to wear a jersey with his name written in Cree, an example of how proud he is of his heritage and his culture. As he spoke to the crowd about his personal and professional journey, culture was a running theme – something he turned to for both comfort, and to ground himself. Drumming and prayer were as important to his training regime as sprints and weight-lifting.

Bear’s heritage has launched him into the spotlight – in part due to the overt racism he has experienced throughout his career. In fact, he became the target of racist comments on social media following the Oilers’ first-round playoff loss to the Winnipeg jets in 2021. Inspired by his family and community, Bear spoke out publicly to address these comments. In a video released on the Oilers’ social media, he states, “I’m here to stand up to this behaviour, to these comments. I’m proud of where I come from, I’m proud to be from Ochapowace First Nation. I’m not just doing this for myself, I’m doing this for all people of colour; I’m doing this for the next generation. There’s no place for racism in our communities, in sports or in our workplace.”

After finishing his talk, Ethan opened himself up to questions from the audience – who wanted to know everything from his favourite food, to what advice he had for young Indigenous people looking to follow in his footsteps. To this last he replied: “Stay dedicated, do what you need to do for yourself that gives you the best opportunities to get you where you want to go.”

Before heading off to catch his ferry back to Vancouver, Ethan made sure to meet each fan, take a picture with them and sign a few autographs. He didn’t leave until the last person in line had been seen.

We hope that Ethan’s story sets a fine example for our young ones and shows them that, no matter their life path, they can always draw strength from their culture and community.