Daniel Beardy’s life commemorated at Lakehead University

The life of Regional Chief Stan Beardy’s late son Daniel was commemorated during a $1,500 cheque-signing ceremony at Lakehead University.
“Daniel epitomized the spirit, drive and dreams that institutions such as Lakehead are responsible for helping nurture in all students,” said LU president and vice-chancellor Brian Stevenson, who donated $750 towards the Daniel Beardy Memorial Award during the May 16 ceremony.
Stan Beardy also donated $750 towards the memorial award, which was created in Daniel’s memory in 2012 and has since helped two LU students to achieve their post-secondary dreams. Daniel passed away in 2004.
“We are deeply touched by this memorial award,” Beardy said. “The award is both a commemoration and an honour that will keep the name and spirit of our beloved son Daniel alive forever. Daniel worked hard and excelled in everything he set his mind to, and this award goes out to recipients who hold those same ideals.”
The first recipient of the memorial award was a former Fort William North Stars player, the same team Daniel played for, who now teaches with the Thunder Bay Catholic School Board.
“I quickly discovered Daniel’s tragic story through coaches and teammates who knew him much closer than I,” said Trevor Gamache, whose letter of thanks for the memorial award was read aloud during the ceremony. “It became inspiration in the locker room, and supported our motto of: ‘Do it now, as tomorrow may never come.’”
Gamache described Daniel as a “dedicated and passionate athlete with a bright future before his life was taken.”
“Through stories and knowledge passed down in the hockey locker rooms, even recently through my four seasons with the Lakehead Thunderwolves, Daniel’s passion continues to inspire students and athletes in the Thunder Bay area,” Gamache said.
Beardy recalled Daniel’s hockey path from playing on the frozen lake in Muskrat Dam at age five to being recognized as the top goaltender in the Superior Junior Hockey League and second overall in the National Canadian Junior “A” hockey league in 2003-2004.
“At that time there was no rink in Muskrat Dam, there was no arena — I used to go shovel a little ice space for him where he could skate (on the lake),” Beardy said.
“In the final year he played, he had 20 wins, one loss and zero ties. He played 22 games, his goals against 43, his (goals against) average was 2.06, saves 450, so when you compare those statistics against all the teams ... he came in number two. There was only one person in all of Canada who was ahead of him, so he was really good.”
Beardy said his son was determined to succeed in hockey.
“If Daniel, coming out from the bush somewhere, could end up number two nationally, I like to think that opportunity is there for all people in Canada,” Stan Beardy said. “There is no excuse why you can’t make it.”
Beardy said his son was often the only First Nations player on his team.
“But he had many non-Native friends, hockey friends and other friends,” Beardy said. “So he was very good as an ambassador to build bridges between cultures. And I think that is what Lakehead University is all about – there is respect and embracing of other cultures and other groups.”
Nellie Beardy, Daniel’s mother, was pleased with the recognition of her son’s achievements during the commemoration ceremony.
“I’m very proud of him and I’m very proud of what he achieved in his short life,” Nellie said. “In our travels, we still come across several young people, now young adults, who speak of him fondly but also tell us that he had set an example for them. And I’m proud that this award will continue to do that.”
Stevenson encouraged Aboriginal students to consider pursuing their education dreams at university.
“I hope this will inspire more Aboriginal students, First Nations, Metis and Inuit, to come,” Stevenson said. “We have between 1,200 to 1,300 self-identified Aboriginal students, which is a good number to start. But I want to increase it and continue that flow.”
Stevenson called for community members to help raise $50,000 for the endowment fund for the Daniel Beardy Memorial Award.