Power Play: Indigenous Coach Scores Grant for Girls Hockey Program

CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – June 21, 2024

“I’m also an Anishinaabe coach and mentoring people to be not just coaches, but givers of learning.”

By David Grossman

For Pamala Agawa, creating opportunities for success, and celebrating culture are huge priorities in her life.

There’s also the subject of coaching.

Talk with her about what it’s like to coach a team of young athletes and be prepared for a lengthy discussion that is both enlightening and rewarding.

For Agawa, there is so much more than the title – and just showing up for a practice or game.

It’s about keeping up with the times, ensuring personal goals and standards are sound, utilizing educational opportunities to strengthen skills, continuing to build confidence, improve on leadership, enhancing guidance, teaching, and discipline.

Got the thrust of what’s on her mind?

Agawa is from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and was an Athlete of the Year at the former Mount St. Joseph College. Then, it was off to Lakehead University where she earned three degrees – a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education followed by a Master of Education.

As a youngster, she spent many days tagging along with her father to arenas to watch him coach. She was a good skater but didn’t play hockey. That is, until many years later when she celebrated her 27^th birthday. She suited up, from 2002 to 2006, with the Aurora Panthers in what was known as the Senior A circuit.

Suffice to say, learning about hockey and watching the game, would one day lead to coaching. Keep in mind, teaching and education were also her lifeline.

Now living in Mount Albert, a village about 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, Agawa works as a Human Rights and Equity Advisor with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. While offices are based in Kenora and Dryden, Agawa works remotely and does a significant amount of commuting.

Before that Agawa, worked for the Ontario Ministry of Education, and was on the staff of the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) for 20 years as a curriculum coordinator, alternative education teacher and vice principal. The switch to the Keewatin-Patricia area was a move Agawa said she could not turn down.

One thing she didn’t change was her admiration for coaching.

“I was afforded an opportunity (in Keewatin-Patricia) that wasn’t available with the York Region District School Board,” she said. “I’m also an Anishinaabe coach and mentoring people to be not just coaches, but givers of learning – and to do what they can to bring those same hockey kids back and introduce them to coaching.”

Agawa is an Anishinaabe-ke from the Batchewana First Nation located just outside of Sault Ste. Marie. Being a strong advocate for youth, it didn’t take long for her to add coaching to her busy schedule – especially when several members of her family of seven also play hockey.

A coach, mentor, and educator, Agawa’s work with youngsters extends beyond just National Indigenous Peoples Day – being recognized this year on June 21. It’s a responsibility that does not have limited hours, days, or months.

Coaching sports teams is something she does very well.

“For me, coaching has been an extension of connecting with kids outside the (academic) classroom,” said Agawa, who is focused on additional coaching certification. “As many hockey parents know, it can get very expensive being a parent of young people playing rep hockey.”

For Agawa, the cost factor adds up to keep kids active. Playing Canada’s National winter sport plus finding funds were needed to improve her coaching education.

That’s where Hydro One and the Coaches Association of Ontario enter the scene.

Agawa applied for, and was awarded, one of the Indigenous Hockey Coaching grants. The Hydro One and CAO initiative was first launched in 2023 focussed on increasing Indigenous representation in sports leadership.

The grants make hockey more affordable, and accessible, to coaches from Indigenous communities participating in the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL).

“It allowed me to earn my qualifications to coach at the AA level with girls as well as have the appropriate qualifications to coach at the National Aboriginal Hockey championships for Team Ontario,” said Agawa, who was behind the bench for the Team Ontario National championship victory in Grand Prairie, Alta.

“I had been given approval to coach with my limited qualifications, but with this new certification, I can continue to grow in my coaching role.”

For Agawa, a recipient of a Women of Distinction award from the City of Markham and another honour from the YRDSB for outstanding service, the objective has always been about coaches and people doing great things.

“I like to lead,” added Agawa, who currently coaches the under-15 double A Markham Stouffville girl’s hockey team. “As for coaching, I do it because it is important to have a good place for young people to learn, develop and improve their life skills.”

The grant is part of Safe Sport 101, a partnership between Hydro One and the CAO established in 2020. It’s focus – to give coaches the tools they need to make sport safe, fun, and inclusive for everyone.

Safe Sport 101 is a virtual hub that offers coaches free safety resources including an eight-part eLearning series, community grants, downloadable resources, and the latest coaching research with the Ontario Coaching Report.

In 2024, more than 50 recipients – representing more than 30 Indigenous communities across Ontario – were awarded funding for out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, child care, and training.

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David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.

“As for coaching, I do it because it is important to have a good place for young people to learn, develop and improve their life skills.”