Indigenous athletes Brigette Lacquette and Jocelyne Larocque will bring home silver medals in women’s hockey, after Team Canada’s 3-2 shootout loss to the United States at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
It was a bittersweet medal for Canada, who were toppled as the reigning champions for the first time since the U.S. last won a gold medal in 1998. There was barely a dry eye among the Canadian players as they lined up to receive their silver medals.
Jocelyne Larocque, who is of Métis heritage, knows what a gold medal feels like because she played for Canada at the Sochi Olympics. Visibly upset at the medal ceremony, the Canadian defenceman took off her medal almost as soon as it was placed around her neck.
Jocelyne Larocque removes her silver medal0:19
“It’s just hard,” Larocque said.
“We’re going for gold and I’m proud of this whole team, but we were chasing that gold medal, and … yeah.”
Support from the Indigenous community
Jocelyne Larocque, at left, holds her silver medal after losing to the United States in the women’s gold medal hockey game. (Julio Cortez/Associated Press)
But to many, the silver medal meant so much more than that loss. It was a chance to see not one, but two Indigenous athletes play at an elite level of sport.
Highlights of Brigette Lacquette and Jocelyne Larocque at the Pyeongchang Olympics0:55
Lacquette, who played defence on the women’s hockey team, is the 1st First Nations woman to make the team and win an Olympic hockey medal.
It was a long, hard road to the Canadian Olympic hockey team for the 25-year-old, who is a member of Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan and grew up in Mallard, Man. She showed hockey talent at a young age but faced adversity and sometimes racist taunts while playing in Manitoba, such “dirty Indian.”
WOW! That was freakin’ amazing! ?? What a time! #OpeningCeremonies #Pyeonchang2018 #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/rd7GQGwZd6
Seeing her compete in Pyeonchang has brought in support from other Indigenous athletes and the community.
@briglacquette very proud of you as I watched you early this morning. You make us all very proud to be Aboriginal ! Native Pride. Keep doing your thing. Bring home the GOLD !@TeamCanada
Thanks, that means a lot! You’re a big inspiration for me! You opened a lot of doors with your journey & for that I’m grateful! #TootooTrain https://t.co/cVcCMwlPMd
@briglacquette you have done so much more than a gold medal can bring, the pride of a nation, BOTH indigenous and non. My 15 year old Dene girl wants to be like you….Mahsi cho sistah!
regardless of what colour medal your bringing home .. you jus inspired young indigenous girls across the nation to achieve their dreams in Women’s Hockey . Way to go ! We’re all proud , doesn’t matter where you come from !!! ????? @briglacquette
@briglacquette Congrats on a Silver Medal ,I know it’s not what you ladies wanted but you made #CanadaProud?? and I am sure made First Nation Proud .Stick it out young lady , not only a great player but a role model ,4 years I hope (and expect) to see you get revenge .Thank You
— @rcinto