It’s an extraordinary day for the Six Nations Community.
On Wednesday, NHL defenseman Brandon Montour brought the Stanley Cup home to family and friends in Ohsweken.
Six Nations Council says the party planning started just before the Stanley Cup Finals — because somehow, they just knew Lord Stanley’s Cup would be paying a visit.
Montour says it’s a special occasion for those who know him personally and those in the community.
“I was a kid once and played lacrosse and when you have one of your own, someone that’s close to you … reach this level and [have] a day like today, that’s a bonus for any kid.”
Six Nations Council says the support they channelled through the final watch party changed the trajectory of the Stanley Cup Final and helped bring home the win.
“That last game, we brought in our cultural dancers, our singers, our drummers, and we changed the whole environment,” Greg Frazer, a Six Nations councillor, says.
A team of archivists and staff from the Hockey Hall of Fame were also on hand, including the first female cup keeper, Miragh Bitove, who says it was an honour to be a part of it all.
“We are watching for certain little things with crowd control. We only want the player to be the one to lift it,” she says.
“Fans are welcome to touch it and give it a tap for good luck but they are not the ones lifting it. Brandon earned the right to lift it over his head.”
Montour says he understands what it means to the crowd to have him there today, adding that he knows it’s the ultimate example for young Six Nations athletes and he does not take that role lightly.
READ MORE: Brandon Montour to bring Stanley Cup home to Six Nations next week