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Warriors Honour Glode Family During Home Opener
The Warriors honoured the Glode family to the team during their home opener on Thursday, remembering Cody Glode. Click READ MORE for more details.
May 14, 2016
Colin Beiswanger
The Warriors season opener was a passionate affair, with the Halifax Southwest Hurricanes edging the Mi’kmaq Warriors 14-5. Starting their second season, this was the closest margin of victory they’ve had against the ECJLL champions for a record four straight years from 2012-2015.
Before the first face-off, before the first crosscheck, and before the first goal, there was a sense of family ignited by the pre-game remembrance ceremony for a close friend to many Warriors players, Cody Glode.
Glode was a friend not just to many on the Warriors squad, but also to many in the Mi’kmaq community. He was a blossoming MMA Fighter, ready to take his skills to the next level and turn pro. He was a full-time firefighter at the age of 19, and the only Mi’kmaq person in the department.
Back in March, Glode’s death sparked questions about what more can be done to deal with mental health issues in this province, and as Nova Scotia’s Health Minister Leo Glavine said: “I am concerned about bridging between the IWK and youth mental health into the early adult years.”
“Good work is being done in some areas, more remains to be done,” He also added.
The Warriors, ever resilient in their first season, had a strong sense of family from the start. This was beautifully on display on Thursday night at the Colchester Arena in Truro.
“The goal of the night was to bring awareness to mental health issues that affect 20% of youth across Canada,” said co-Head Coach Brendon Smithson. “This is the highest percentage of any disorder in the world, and that was part of our message,” he said.
The ECJLL is run as a non-profit, and team funds are always a question mark heading into any season. That didn’t stop the Mi’kmaq Warriors from committing half of the proceeds from general admission to the IWK Mental Health Centre. When all was said and done, the Warriors made a donation of $500.00 to the Centre in Cody Glode’s name.
Both teams were lead onto the floor by M'ikmaq dancers, while members of Eastern Eagle invited the Samqwan band to play with them on the lacrosse floor. In the middle of the floor, Chief Bob Gloade of the Millbrook First Nation lead the Warriors out on the floor carrying the Mi’kmaq flag. From there, both teams lined up on the restraining line while dancers danced and Chief Gloade brought welcome from Millbrook and spoke about mental healther awareness.
Much of Cody’s family was then invited to the floor to speak, and were presented gifts from the Warriors team. “This was very emotional, even four our players,” said Smithson. “The crowd showed huge support and there were many tears from all.”
To finish things off, Cody’s father participated in the ceremonial opening faceoff.
The Warriors welcomed over 800 fans to the game. They participated in a teddy bear toss, which saw 141 teddy bears hit the floor. “Last night was about an issue that affects so many, and is bigger than lacrosse,” added Smithson. “It was a night that will be remembered for all our Warriors players.”
If you are interested in making additional donations to the IWK Health Centre in remembrance of Cody Glode, please contact Brendon Smithson at brendonlivestrong@hotmail.com.
Colin Beiswanger
The Warriors season opener was a passionate affair, with the Halifax Southwest Hurricanes edging the Mi’kmaq Warriors 14-5. Starting their second season, this was the closest margin of victory they’ve had against the ECJLL champions for a record four straight years from 2012-2015.
Before the first face-off, before the first crosscheck, and before the first goal, there was a sense of family ignited by the pre-game remembrance ceremony for a close friend to many Warriors players, Cody Glode.
Glode was a friend not just to many on the Warriors squad, but also to many in the Mi’kmaq community. He was a blossoming MMA Fighter, ready to take his skills to the next level and turn pro. He was a full-time firefighter at the age of 19, and the only Mi’kmaq person in the department.
Back in March, Glode’s death sparked questions about what more can be done to deal with mental health issues in this province, and as Nova Scotia’s Health Minister Leo Glavine said: “I am concerned about bridging between the IWK and youth mental health into the early adult years.”
“Good work is being done in some areas, more remains to be done,” He also added.
The Warriors, ever resilient in their first season, had a strong sense of family from the start. This was beautifully on display on Thursday night at the Colchester Arena in Truro.
“The goal of the night was to bring awareness to mental health issues that affect 20% of youth across Canada,” said co-Head Coach Brendon Smithson. “This is the highest percentage of any disorder in the world, and that was part of our message,” he said.
The ECJLL is run as a non-profit, and team funds are always a question mark heading into any season. That didn’t stop the Mi’kmaq Warriors from committing half of the proceeds from general admission to the IWK Mental Health Centre. When all was said and done, the Warriors made a donation of $500.00 to the Centre in Cody Glode’s name.
Both teams were lead onto the floor by M'ikmaq dancers, while members of Eastern Eagle invited the Samqwan band to play with them on the lacrosse floor. In the middle of the floor, Chief Bob Gloade of the Millbrook First Nation lead the Warriors out on the floor carrying the Mi’kmaq flag. From there, both teams lined up on the restraining line while dancers danced and Chief Gloade brought welcome from Millbrook and spoke about mental healther awareness.
Much of Cody’s family was then invited to the floor to speak, and were presented gifts from the Warriors team. “This was very emotional, even four our players,” said Smithson. “The crowd showed huge support and there were many tears from all.”
To finish things off, Cody’s father participated in the ceremonial opening faceoff.
The Warriors welcomed over 800 fans to the game. They participated in a teddy bear toss, which saw 141 teddy bears hit the floor. “Last night was about an issue that affects so many, and is bigger than lacrosse,” added Smithson. “It was a night that will be remembered for all our Warriors players.”
If you are interested in making additional donations to the IWK Health Centre in remembrance of Cody Glode, please contact Brendon Smithson at brendonlivestrong@hotmail.com.