The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) are about to get underway! A group of dedicated coaches will be supporting the athletes as they aim for the top in Grande Prairie. In the flurry of anticipation, as everyone prepares for the big event, we profiled a few of the coaches whose passion, dedication and expertise are driving the success of Team Eastern Door and the North (EDN).
Women’s team
Patrice Dominique: Head Coach
Patrice Dominique, an Innu from the community of Mashteuiatsh, has spent a big part of his life coaching hockey at various levels, including AA and BB. He also coached the EDN track and field team at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). His commitment to athletic development and his community involvement have made him a respected and influential figure in Indigenous sports.
“For me, it’s a pleasure to be involved in the NAHC again, having already participated in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. It’s the sort of challenge that every coach dreams of.”
Ross Leclaire: Assistant Coach
Ross Leclaire, who hails from Kahnawake, is in his second year as assistant coach of the EDN women’s hockey team. His dozen years of coaching experience speak to his dedication to the development of young athletes, particularly hockey players. For the past eight years, he has been the head coach of Kahnawake’s women’s hockey team. Beyond hockey, his involvement in baseball and golf reflects his versatility and commitment to promoting athletic excellence across different sports. He was also the golf head coach at the 2023 NAIG.
Konwatharani Jacobs: Assistant Coach
Konwatharani Jacobs, mother to a seven-year-old girl, is passionate about sports. A proud member of the Kahnawake Fire Brigade, she is a firefighter and a student paramedic. She has been a member of the EDN women’s hockey team since 2002, winning one gold and four silver medals as an athlete. Her journey as a Team EDN coach began in 2015, and she served as assistant and head coach in 2016, 2017 and 2022. She participated in the NAIG twice, competing in softball in Denver and basketball in Winnipeg, enriching experiences that allowed her to form deep connections on both the athletic and cultural fronts.
Her involvement in hockey encouraged her to pursue higher education. Her athletic prowess in hockey, softball and basketball made her realize that she could succeed in her studies, just as she had with sports. With her personal and athletic background, she aspires to bridge gaps and create opportunities for young people, especially female athletes. In doing so, she is mirroring the journey of role models such as Brooke Stacey, a former member of Team EDN who embodies perseverance and determination, both as an athlete and a mother.
Kwaronienhawi Jacobs: Manager
Kwaronienhawi Jacobs, who hails from Kahnawake, is in her second year with the Team EDN coaching staff. After serving as assistant coach in 2023, she has taken on the role of manager this year. She was a goalie for Team EDN at the NAHC from 2003 to 2008, winning one gold and four silver medals. Determined to create more development, training and access opportunities for Kahnawake youth, she is General Manager of sports and recreation and is training as a firefighter and paramedic. Sports have always been a big part of who she is, shaping her professional and family life and guiding her volunteer work.
Focused on helping athletes reach their full potential, Kwaronienhawi emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities, in the spirit of the famous quote by Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Kateri Oesterreich: First Aid Attendant
Kateri Oesterreich, who hails from Kahnawake, works full time as a paramedic for the Kahnawake Fire Brigade and the Kahnawake ambulance service. This will be her third time at the NAHC as first aid attendant for the EDN women’s hockey team. She is very proud and honoured to be part of a team that represents First Nations athletes in Quebec. Kateri wishes all the athletes an incredible time in Alberta and hopes they will create lasting memories.
Men’s team
Steeve Gros-Louis: Head Coach
Steeve Gros-Louis, head coach of the EDN men’s hockey team, is from Wendake. He has more than 30 years of experience coaching hockey. For 20 years or so, he was involved with Hockey Québec Centre, coaching teams from the MAHG level to the junior level. He has been involved with Team EDN for almost a decade and feels privileged to have served as head coach of the men’s team for the last few years. His sustained commitment reflects how much he cares about hockey and player development.
Adam Jourdain: Assistant Coach
Adam Jourdain is an Innu from Uashat mak Mani-Utenam. He is returning to a coaching role for the second consecutive year, but this time with the men’s team. A former player in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, he knows first-hand the demands and challenges of the sport. His background as a coach and player gives him a unique perspective, enabling him to share useful advice and technical expertise with the players.
Ronnie Stacey: Assistant Coach
Ronnie Stacey, who hails from Kahnawake, is assistant coach of the men’s team. He has more than 30 years of coaching experience at all levels of hockey, lacrosse and baseball. The core principle of his coaching philosophy is player and team development. He strives to foster collective and individual growth among the athletes, focusing on continuous improvement and long-term success.
Alain Madore: Manager
Alain Madore has been a hockey coach and manager for some 40 years. His extensive experience includes four years working as a manager for Team EDN at the NAHC, where he demonstrated his ability to successfully manage and guide the team. Alain also proved himself as a baseball coach at the last NAIG, highlighting his versatility and ability to excel. His enduring commitment and his dedication to player development are a big part of why he has such a stellar reputation in the sports world.
Dwaine White: First Aid Attendant
Dwaine White plays many roles in his community of Kahnawake. He is the General Manager at the Office of the Council of Chiefs and a volunteer firefighter and paramedic with the Kahnawake Fire Brigade. Father of two boys and grandfather of what will soon be five grandchildren, Dwaine is deeply commitment to his family and community. He has dedicated much of his time to volunteering with various sports teams, including local- and national-level lacrosse and hockey teams. With his involvement with Team EDN, he is carrying on his custom of giving back to the community.
Dwaine wants to make sure that the players proudly represent their community and nation as well as Team EDN. He believes that through teamwork and camaraderie, they will create lasting friendships along with fond memories of their adventure together. He hopes the athletes will have an enriching experience while promoting the benefits of teamwork, healthy living and sports and embracing the languages and cultures of Indigenous communities across Turtle Island.
