Wilfrid Jury P.S.

Thursday, May 31, 2012 – First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students from H.B. Beal Secondary School will be portaging a canoe they’ve been crafting for months to Centennial Hall on June 4 for a community event featuring NHL superstar Theoren Fleury.

Fleury, who is Métis, is a Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medal winner for Canada.  He is also the author of the explosive best-selling memoir, Playing with Fire, in which Fleury first disclosed to the world that he was a victim of sexual abuse in junior hockey.

“There are so many layers to Theo’s story that resonate with people of all walks of life,” explains FNMI Education Advisor Robyn Turgeon. “Ticket requests are coming not only from the FNMI and hockey communities but also from members of the public who can connect on an intensely personal level to any of the many challenges Theo has overcome in his life.”

At the event, beginning at 7 p.m. at Centennial Hall, Fleury will share his message of hope and strength as part of his "Don't Quit Before the Miracle" speaking tour. He shares funny stories about life behind the scenes with the game’s biggest stars and tells jaw-dropping anecdotes of living hard at the top of the NHL, the crash that followed and his ultimate comeback.  

The evening will kick off with performances by local FNMI dancers, drummers and singers.  The public will also be able to view the canoe that the FNMI Peer Leadership class at H.B. Beal Secondary School built this semester with Métis cultural teacher Marcel Labelle.

An authentic Calgary Flames jersey, signed by Fleury, will also be raffled off during the event with proceeds going towards a learn-to-play hockey camp for local FNMI youth.

The event is a presentation of the Thames Valley District School Board’s FNMI education initiative, "Our Shared Vision," made possible through a Ministry of Education grant to support FNMI student self-identification. 

What: Theo Fleury: “Don’t Quit Before the Miracle” presentation
When: Monday, June 4, 2012
Portage of canoe: Departs Beal S.S. at 4:15 p.m., meeting Fleury at City Hall at 5 p.m.
Event: 7 p.m. (Doors open to media and the public at 6 p.m.)
Where: Centennial Hall, London
Tickets: Free and open to the public. Reserve by emailing OurSharedVision@tvdsb.on.ca.

Media are invited to Beal, City Hall and Centennial Hall at the times listed above for photos and interviews.

For More Information:
Robyn Turgeon, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Advisor (Acting)
Thames Valley District School Board, 1250 Dundas Street E. London N6A 5L1
519-452-2000  ext. 20362   r.turgeon@tvdsb.on.ca

Media Release (pdf file - 23kb)

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