A Walpole Island man is one of the first Indigenous golfers to grace the cover of Score Golf magazine.
Former pro golfer Steve Tooshkenig is featured along with Jesse Smith and Steve Styres, and says representation is important.
“I think it’s more about the children, and not necessarily Indigenous children but children from Canada,” Tooshkenig says. “They see Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people working collectively and collaboratively, that speaks volumes for everybody.”
Tooshkenig says golf involves a deep connection between Indigenous people and the land.
“I call it Focus on the Fairway, it’s about life and it’s about understanding the relationship that you have with the land. I get to meet a lot of people, it’s amazing, some of the stories they share with me, I go to the golf course and I pray about a lot of things that happen. We are people from the land. I have a better understanding of what’s going on now that ever before.”
He says it’s not just about the game, it’s about the business of golf and having people of all backgrounds invited to the table and provide mentorship.
Tooshkenig hopes people of all backgrounds will be able to read their stories and get a better understanding of the partnerships involving Indigenous people, sports, and the community as a whole.
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