Canadian defenceman Brigette Lacquette has a wealth of experience to share with young hockey players.

Just 22, she has already built an impressive resumé, much of which she shared at the Summit Hockey School in Whitehorse last week.

During a standout collegiate career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, she was lauded by veteran coach Shannon Miller as the most naturally talented player she had ever worked with.

The next stop for the Mallard, Man., rearguard was a national team camp in Calgary where she was one of just 27 skaters considered for the 2014 Olympic squad.

She didn’t make it to Sochi, but caught the eye of Hockey Canada scouts, who called on the tiny but tough blue-liner to pull on the maple leaf at the 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Malmo, Sweden.

It wasn’t the first time Lacquette had donned the red and white, having previously represented the national team at the U18 championship.

But it did make her a trailblazer – when she took the ice at worlds, she reportedly became the first First Nations player to skate for the women’s national team.

It fulfilled a longtime dream that began humbly on an outdoor rink in rural Manitoba, where she would practice with her father, Terance.

“It was a long road to get to where I am. I had to get past a lot of obstacles to get here,” explained Lacquette, who took on coaching duties in the Yukon last week.

Recognized in 2009 with the Tom Longboat Award as the nation’s top female amateur Aboriginal athlete, she took a moment on Tuesday to share stories of the many challenges along the way.

“Racism is always going to be there, it may never go away,” she told campers.

“Every First Nations kid is going to go through that, I think. So it’s about the mindset you have and the work that you put in.

“The biggest thing is to work hard and do your best at whatever you do. I was taught that growing up by my dad, the importance of giving 100 per cent.”

The work never stops for Lacquette, who is working to keep her spot on Team Canada with the 2018 Olympics in her sights.

“It’s a couple of years away but it comes up fast,” noted the five-foot-six rearguard with a knowing smile.

Quiet but commanding, her impact on the hockey camp was significant.

On the ice, participants crowded around the whiteboard and listened carefully to her instructions.

But one parent and organizer believes that Lacquette’s reach extends beyond the boards.

“The young kids here get to see a role model who can show the levels that you can achieve with hard work,” says Peter Johnston, Aboriginal liaison for Northwestel and hockey dad.

“She’s a pretty humble girl. She’s come from a rural community and overcome a lot of challenges and now she’s looked at as one of the top players in Canada. To have her here on the ice is great, but beyond that, her influence on the campers – and the girls in particular – is so important.”

For her part, Lacquette hopes that leading by example left a mark.

“I really want to make an impact,” she said. “It was just recently that I realized that I am a role model. So coming up here and working with these kids, it’s a great experience for me, and hopefully for them as well.”