Halifax Thunderbirds lacrosse team makes a unique arrival

The Halifax Thunderbirds descended upon the city today, but not via plane, train or automobile.

Thunderbirds General Manager Curtis Styres completed his 1,870-kilometre canoe journey on October 1 when he docked at the Halifax waterfront.

“We could've flown here or we could've drove our car here,” Styres tells NEWS 95.7. “But we wanted to let them know that we are committed to what we're doing.”

Styres left his home in Six Nations, Ontario, back on July 11, and spent three months paddling his way to the East Coast.

“On the day that we left it was pretty flat water and we crossed Lake Ontario in three hours,” he says.

Along the way, Thunderbird team members, family and friends joined Styres for short periods of the trip.

“I'm so thankful for all the people that helped,” he says. “Some nights we would have a lot of people and there's other nights there'd be me and a couple other people.”

Part of the reason for Styres' journey was a desire to bring a traditional Indigenous sport to the Maritimes. He says lacrosse is hugely popular in his home community.

“A lot of the guys, when they're born they're given a wooden lacrosse stick and they just start playing from when they start walking,” he says.

Styres says the sport is a pastime, but for Indigenous cultures also has healing elements.

“If somebody's not feeling well we play a medicine game of lacrosse and get them back on their feet and get them well,” he adds.

The Mi'kmaw community in Nova Scotia gave a warm welcome to Styres and the rest of the Thunderbirds team.

“The Mi'kmaq people they were there,” says Styres. “It was amazing to know that they're welcoming us.”

Catherine Martin, a member of the Millbrook Mi'kmaw community, was part of the onlookers from the Halifax waterfront at Styres arrived.

“It's important to welcome them, especially since they came, paddling in a traditional way,” Martin tells NEWS 95.7.

Martin says for thousands of years, her ancestors have been welcoming people to the shores of the province.

Because the team's arrival happened on October 1 — Treaty Day and the start of Mi'kmaq History Month — Martin says it holds special significance.

“We've always welcomed people to come and share our land and especially friendly people who are coming to live with us and amongst us in a good way,” she explains.

Martin thinks the team will not only benefit the community, but could encourage youth to play sports.

“The lacrosse team is really important to welcome because it's going to inspire our youth,” she adds. “I just want them to know how welcome they are and how special it will be to go to the first game.”

The first game of the season for the Halifax Thunderbirds will be December 7. 

Styres says he's excited to introduce Haligonians to a new sport, and hopes to fill seats this season.

“It's a growing sport. Our goal is to go out to the communities and introduce the game to the people and get them to fall in love with the game,” he says. “To plant the seed of lacrosse.”