Jordin Tootoo spoke to Indigenous youth on Thursday morning. (Nolan Kowal/paNOW Staff)

By Nolan Kowal

Words of inspiration

‘You matter’: Ex-NHLer Tootoo spreads message of hope, hard work to Indigenous youth

Mar 14, 2024 | 4:01 PM

Jordin Tootoo made an appearance in Prince Albert on Thursday, hoping to inspire the next generation of Indigenous youth.

The former NHL player spoke passionately to a group of about 50 high school students from Sturgeon Lake First Nation as part of the second annual Sturgeon Lake Youth Conference, which runs until Friday at the Days Inn in Prince Albert.

“There’s lots of people who believe in you…you matter,” Tootoo told the kids. “Earn what you want in life.”

The now 41-year-old Tootoo was born in Churchill, Man. but grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He touched on his battle with alcohol and drug abuse and emphasized the importance of making good decisions in life.

“When I’m able to give them hope and share real life experiences it allows them to be like ‘wow, if you went through that there is light at the end of the tunnel,'” Tootoo said following his speech. “Ultimately, they’re our leaders of the future and any time I can give them hope and allow them to see light at the end of the tunnel it’s a good thing.”

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“In order to better yourself, it’s a process. And I’ve allowed myself through out my sobriety journey that nobody’s perfect and it’s okay to fail and that’s how we grow.”

Tootoo added that negative influences will always be around, but that each individual can make smart decisions to stay on the right path.

“Alcohol and drugs are very prevalent in or communities and the cities…and it’s just more of educating them and having self awareness and being confident enough to say no,” he said.

“Ultimately, it’s about educating our kids.”

Stacey Bighead works at the school on Sturgeon Lake First Nation and was one of the organizers of the conference. She said it was very important to have Tootoo relay his message.

“He comes from way up north, a remote area. He kind of lived a rougher life and he can connect with them and relate with them,” Bighead said. “He’s here to spread a strong message, and advocate, and inspire, and instill hope that no matter where you come from there’s always hope.”

“Everyone comes from different circumstances…it’s how they choose to deal with it,” she added.

Tootoo just released his second book last year, titled Mind Over Matter: Hard-Won Battles on the Road to Hope. His first book, All The Way: My Life on Ice, came out in 2014.

The former right winger, who now lives in British Columbia, played parts of 13 seasons in the NHL before retiring after the 2016-2017 season.

“I play once a week with all the ex-pros around Kelowna…my seven-year-old daughter, she’s in U9 so I get out and pass pucks around with them,” Tootoo said. “I tell people I walked away from the game on my own terms and now this is what I do…get out and reach out to our communities and share my journey.”

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com