ipana Mickey quiet strenGtH

Mickey Ipana was awarded MVP at this years IRC tournament. So I asked how and why does Mickey Ipana bring his best to the ice? “Competition. It’s fun. I just love playing,” answered Ipana. “We have a big tournament here once a year. Everyone focuses on that tournament. There’s always talking about who’s playing for who and excited about the tournament. I just like to be focused and play for my teammates.”

Ipana has also given back to the hockey community and culture by organizing the rec league in Inuvik. The rec league currently has 4 teams and 52 players. Ipana and I sat and talked at the arena named after his father. I learnt a lot from what Ipana said but also from what he did not say. Ipana is blessed with beautiful manners and a quiet strength (that is hard to capture on paper). I asked him who his role model is and he replied, “Oh, my dad for sure. He’d seen something special in everybody. Didn’t matter what your race or how big you are, he knew inside everyone had something special. He just tried to help people to see it.”

Ipana’s is equally thankful for the role his mother has played in his life. Over the years Ipana’s mom has advised him to watch over his brothers, stay in school, get a good job, and raise a family. “Knowing she’s there to support me. I’ve been lucky enough to have her around for as long as I have.”

Sandra Ipana has done well. At 28, Ipana is a sensible family man, excellent athlete and full of young wisdom. On marriage Ipana shares that “you got to know that you’re going to run into problems. It’s about working things out. It’s about staying by each other and staying strong for each other. Just follow your heart basically.”

As for his motto in life he said “Whatever you do just try your hardest. Whether it be work, sports or education. Whatever you do just put everything you have into it. Everybody has something special in them.” Ipana continued “It takes a while to find it for some people. So whatever I do I just try my hardest, If I can’t find the answer I find a way to find the answer. If I know the answer then I try to spread the answer.”

When I asked Ipana what he loves about being Inuvialuit he struggled because there are so many things he loves about being Inuvialuit – the elders, the children, the northern games. But ultimately Ipana loves “the community”. Regardless of the differences there are between people the community will come together in hard times. Ipana said, “knowing that everybody has such a great heart, it warms my heart telling you that you know there’s love out there no matter who you are.”