Players heartbroken as Team Atlantic bows out of National Aboriginal Hockey Tournament

The team from Atlantic Canada has withdrawn from this year's National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) in Kamloops, B.C., to the disappointment of players and their families.

NAHC, the largest Indigenous youth hockey tournament in Canada, is slated to run May 4-10 and U-15 and U-18 girls and boys from across Canada compete.

It was established by the Aboriginal Sport Circle in 2002 and draws about 500 players from eight regions.

The decision by Team Atlantic announced on Friday, left Pahsesam Brown-Bear feeling down as this is her final year of eligibility.

"When I'd seen the announcement that we weren't going, it really broke my heart," said Pahsesam Brown-Bear, 17.

"Especially being my last year, like, I can't go back."

Brown-Bear, a Wolastoqew player from Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, has represented Team Atlantic for the past three years — serving as captain for two.

She attends Boston Hockey Academy in Boston and said she values the opportunity "Team A" gave her to play the sport she loves alongside other Indigenous youth.

"It was such an amazing experience for me and made me feel a sense of my culture again when I'd felt like I didn't have it all season," said Brown-Bear.

Brown-Bear said the team didn't get a clear reason why they'd been withdrawn.

In a news release, Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle Newfoundland and Labrador, Aboriginal Sport and Recreation New Brunswick, Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.l. Aboriginal Sport Circle and the Mi'kmaw Sport Council of Nova Scotia cited "team development priorities, resource limitations and other factors" for the withdrawal.

Team Atlantic "eagerly anticipates future opportunities to collaborate, develop and connect meaningfully with the hockey community," including hosting development camps in the region throughout 2025 and "gearing up for the 2026 tournament."

The organizations did not respond to requests for comment by time of publishing.

"I don't think it's a money issue," said Neebun Bear, Pahsesam Brown-Bear's mother.

"I think they feel like the development's not there and that they can't compete at that calibre at a national level."

Bear said for many players, the NAHC is not so much about winning, but about the experience of travelling and playing against other Indigenous teams. It offers players a chance to hone their skills, gain exposure and connect with youth across the country. 

"It's like the best Indigenous youth in Canada playing against each other," she said. 

"It's really profiling them and getting their name out there."

Jason Bernard, who is Mi'kmaw from Eskasoni First Nation on Cape Breton Island, echoed these sentiments.

His daughter, Paris, is also attending a hockey prep school — hers is in Fort Erie, Ont. — and is also facing her last year of eligibility for the team. 

"[On Team A], she's made so many good friends, it's changed the outlook of where she wants to go and that's pursuing university hockey," said Bernard.

"It's opened up a lot of doors for her, and knowing this was her last year, it would have probably opened up some more, and now those doors are closed. It's hard for her." 

He said parents and youth had been growing concerned due to the lack of communication from Team Atlantic regarding try-outs. They were informed of the decision to withdraw via an email and the team's statement.

"I'm hoping they'll reconsider this," Bernard said.

Brown-Bear said although she is missing out on playing the tournament in her final year of eligibility, it doesn't mean it will be the end of her journey with Team Atlantic. She hopes to get her coaching certifications and return as a coach in the future. 

"I hope I could be a role model for the future girls coming up and playing, maybe for the year after," she said.

"I know it's not over for me and Team A, even though I am a senior."