11-year-old Winnipeg hockey player wins Black Girl Hockey Club scholarship

An 11-year-old Winnipeg hockey player, originally from eastern Africa has won a $1,000 scholarship from the Black Girl Hockey Club.

Canari Yonas spoke to CBC and said she was “shocked and super excited” to win the award, and that she is thinking of putting the money towards hockey camps and a Dustin Byfuglien jersey.

The club, a non-profit in the U.S., is dedicated to advocating for more Black women to play hockey and the scholarship is given annually to Black girls and women between the ages of nine and 18 years old to help in their pursuit in the world of hockey.

Yonas’ coach in a hockey camp last summer nominated her for the award.

“Obviously, kids have questions and comments and whatnot. These uncomfortable conversations were directed to Canari,” said Janelle Forcand, Yonas’ coach according to CBC. “She’s able to just have these respectful conversations — these conversations normally even adults shy away from — and Canari just doesn’t look for an argument.

“Her peers, they really listen to her and resonate with her, and they understand. It’s just remarkable for an 11-year-old girl to be able to have these conversations in a proper way.”

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