It combines sporting tradition, local heritage and culture.
Founding commissioner Johnny Kashub said the Opeongo Heritage Cup, held last weekend, brings together four teams – the Algonquin nation, the Kashubian nation, the Irish nation and the German nation.
Kashub said the players from the European teams are the descendants of the first pioneers who came up the Opeongo Line, and each year people come back to Madawaska Valley from all over the country to represent their roots.
Kashub founded the heritage cup in 2006 and said he wanted to try combining a Canadian tradition like hockey with a celebration of the area’s heritage.
“People are, of course, proud to be Canadian. But they’re also very proud of their ancestral roots. So, I think that combination really fit together,” he said.
This year, the Irish Shamrocks won the men’s open division, the German Black Eagles won the women’s division and Team Ireland won the Opeongo Heritage Bowl.
For the 20th anniversary, Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault, Renfrew Warden Jennifer Murphy and Algonquin Chief Greg Sarazin participated in the opening ceremonies.
In his capacity as heritage cup commissioner, Kashub uses his cultural name. As Madawaska Valley Mayor, he goes by David Shulist.
Kashub credits the Killaloe Heritage Society, the Zurakowski Park Committee, the Wilno Rink and the Barry’s Bay and Area Minor Hockey Association for making the tournament a success.
Kashub said children who watched their parents play in the tournament 20 years ago are now playing in the tournament too. He hopes to see the tradition continually passed down through the generations.
