A trip to Halifax for a pair of Port Moody sisters is about more than a chance to play in a top-level lacrosse tournament.
It will be a journey to connect with their First Nations’ heritage.
Jordan and Jolaine Bolam, are part of Team British Columbia’s U19 women’s box lacrosse team that is competing at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax-Dartmouth July 13 – 25.
The event brings together 756 Indigenous Nations competing in 15 sports — including the traditional Indigenous sports of archery, canoe/kayak and lacrosse.
Jordan and Jolaine’s great grandmother on their father’s side was Sto:lo. But growing up, their Indigenous heritage was never at the forefront of their identity.
Jolaine, 14, was the first to pick up a lacrosse stick, when she was six. Her dad, Mike, a former Burnaby firefighter, had played the sport back in the day, so it seemed a natural fit.
“It was fun. It was different than soccer,” she said. “I was learning something new.”
Jordan, 15, started playing about a year later.
Over the years, the sisters have had several opportunities to play together in the Port Moody minor boxla and Coquitlam Adanacs field lacrosse associations.
Mike Bolam said it makes him proud to see his daughters take to a sport that has been a big part of his life and helped him to forge a connection to his Indigenous roots.
You see, Mike said, when he was growing up, having First Nations’ blood wasn’t something to be particularly proud of so playing lacrosse was a way to keep that bond to his ancestors alive.
“It was a different time,” he said.
He doesn’t want his daughters to feel any shame about their roots.
There’s little chance of that, Jordan said.
At the encouragement of their coach, the sisters attended their first tryout camp last year for the U19 team going to Halifax. They were invited to attend subsequent camps this year and when they learned they’d survived the cut, Jolaine said she was surprised.
“I didn’t think I’d make it.”
Jordan said she’s ready for the challenge of playing with and against girls much older and with more experience.
“It’s going to be hard, but I don’t think it’s a challenge I can’t handle.”
Beyond the opportunity to test their lacrosse prowess, the Bolam sisters said they’re most excited to learn from the other First Nations’ athletes they’ll meet.
“I want to hear everyone’s story,” Jordan said.
Savanna Smith, the coach of the BC U19 team who’s also worked with the Bolam sisters at the minor level, said being part of the Indigenous Games can be a transformative experience.
“When we learn about our background we can begin to shape who we can be and what that means to us,” she said. “The games will help spark each of them in their pride of who they are and where they come from.”
Smith, whose team will be comprised of 19 players representing 15 different First Nations, said lacrosse can be the perfect vehicle for a journey of self-discovery.
“Lacrosse was a gift given to Indigenous peoples by the Creator, a gift given for our medicine and for the Creator’s enjoyment,” she said. “When we play we get that medicine, we are watched over.”
Jordan Bolam said being part of the team headed to the NAIG has already impacted her in ways she didn’t expect. She said forging a stronger bond to her heritage has given her more confidence.
“It feels special,” Jordan said. “It gives me reassurance that I have relatives who’ve been here for so long.”
Jolaine said the experience has given her a new perspective.
“It changes how you think of things,” she said. “We were always told we were Indigenous, but I didn’t know what it meant.”
