THUNDER BAY - Jordin Tootoo is an idol to many Indigenous and non-Indigenous people across Canada.
The former NHLer was the first Inuk player, and the first Nunavut-born player to play in an NHL game.
On Thursday, he continued to make good on his retirement promise to give back to the Indigenous community.
At the 21st annual SAAFE Walk, coordinated by the Ka-Na-Chi-Hih Specialized Solvent Abuse Treatment Centre, Tootoo joined hundreds of community members either battling or affected by solvent abuse.
“We all know about all the other addictions out there, but we hardly know about solvents,” Ka-Na-Chi-Hih CEO Vincent Simon said.
Solvent abuse is described as someone intentionally breathes in or sniffs common toxic substances to get a high. The substances usually include gasoline, paint, glue, and other products.
Young people tend to be the most vulnerable considering the inexpensive and easily accessible nature of the products. The Ka-Na-Chi-Hih Centre offers long-term assistance for youth struggling with these addictions.
“We give them a home environment,” Simon said. “We give them the tools to understand the effects of solvents, and other drugs."
On Thursday, the centre also provided the youth with the opportunity to meet a role model who has also struggled with substance abuse.
During his time with the Nashville Predators in 2011, Tootoo entered in-patient care as part of the NHL Players' Association Substance Abuse and Behavioural Health Program to get help for an alcohol problem, according to the Lethbridge Herald.
“I speak their tongue. They can relate to me,” Tootoo said.
When Tootoo announced his retirement in October 2018, he said in a tweet his reason for hanging up the skates was to focus on giving back to the Indigenous community.
“Getting out to our Indigenous communities and spreading the word about healthy living. I’ve gone through many life experiences that a lot of people on this walk can relate to,” Tootoo said.
Although his status as a former professional hockey player led to a long line of autographs and pictures, Tootoo said his mindset is always to ground himself in order to relate to people.
“Ultimately for me, it’s not forgetting where I come from,” Tootoo said. “I’m just a regular person like anyone else. When I come to these events, I don’t want to be treated as anything otherwise. ‘Jordan Tootoo, he’s like one of us.’ That’s how I’ve always carried myself.”
