REDBLACKS take opportunity to teach and learn at Ben Maracle’s football camp for Indigenous children

With the Ottawa REDBLACKS set to observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it has been the opportune time for players and staff to take time out of their busy schedules to give back.

During the summer, Ben Maracle attended REDBLACKS training camp as part of the CFL’s quarterback internship program, where he told many of his campmates about a football camp for Indigenous youth, which was run on July 31st.

Jackson Bennett, DeVonte Dedmon, and Justin Howell heeded the University of Ottawa pivot’s call to action, making the hour-long trip to a field beside A’nowara’ko:wa Arena, in Akwesasne. They were also joined by Gee-Gees linebacker Harnoor Dhaliwal and REDBLACKS’ prospect, Amlicar Polk.

The 40 Akwesasne kids in attendance all took part in a fun day of football, but also received a swag bag, which contained different REDBLACKS and Gee-Gees memorabilia, and had the opportunity to get autographs from those in attendance. For youngsters involved, it was a great day, but the players found the day equally as fun and important.

“It was awesome, and I was super proud of Ben,” Howell said. “He’s a great kid, and a lot of us wanted to help out.”

For many of the kids, it was their first experience with football. They were taught some of the rules, and fundamentals of the sport, but one of the most important parts of the day was to have fun.

At lunchtime, the teacher/student dynamic was flipped, and the kids were given the chance to share their culture and experiences with the players. They ate a traditional meal, which Howell says was both delicious, and a great chance to learn something new.

“It was something new, a chance to learn,” Howell said. “We had a traditional lunch, as well. Little things like getting to try that meal are cool.”

Steps like these are the first of many, and the REDBLACKS will continue to bring awareness to the cause on Saturday afternoon, when they host the Montreal Alouettes. They’ll be wearing special orange jerseys for warmup, and have unveiled a new logo, created by Mike Ivall.

For those who attended the camp, there’s a little extra meaning behind this afternoon’s game.

“I called my dad on the way home, and it was a moment where I came full circle,” Dedmon said. “I was one of those kids in the past, and I needed someone like myself. It got me emotional, because I don’t know if I’ll ever see these kids again, but I hope I made an impact.”

If nothing else, the players are hoping that they have inspired a couple of kids to pursue a sport, even if it’s something other than football, or gave them an afternoon of relief from the stresses of being a young child.

“Them seeing Ben and the guys that he’s around was a huge inspiration,” Dedmon said, mentioning Maracle’s background, living in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. “He opened up to me, so being a part of that whole experience really opened my eyes to how the world is, and makes me want to continue making an impact where I can.”