Noah Pelletier: Growing the game, honoring his Métis heritage

Sept. 30, 2024 - Noah Pelletier has been one of the breakout stars in Canada West football this season, stepping in and leading a resurgent Regina Rams team into the playoff chase.

But if you ask the hometown Regina product, leadership means more than just executing plays on the field.

It’s about honoring his Métis roots and inspiring youth in Indigenous and underserved communities across Saskatchewan. Through football camps and outreach programs, Noah is introducing football to new generations and helping young people see what’s possible when culture and sport unite.

Regina Roots

In football mad Saskatchewan, nearly every kid dreams of donning Roughriders green.

A Regina kid born and raised, Noah played every sport imaginable growing up including flag football, hockey, baseball, soccer, you name it. His love of football eventually won out, and his prowess as a quarterback began to emerge once he narrowed his focus in high school. ​

Noah starred for Balfour Collegiate in Regina and persevered through early team struggles, with the Bears recording just a single win in his Grade 9 year. ​ Noah and his teammates put in the work and saw it pay off. By the time Noah was a senior, Balfour had become a formidable opponent, becoming one of the nationally top 25 ranked high schools in their size category. ​ ​

While focusing on football in high school, Noah also represented his province and country in national and international events. A personal highlight was representing Team Canada in 2018 and 2020, facing off against Team USA and Team Mexico at AT&T Stadium in Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

At the end of his high school career, he received interest from various universities around Canada. However, he ultimately decided to play for his hometown team, the University of Regina.

“Obviously it's nice to stick at home, have those home cooked meals, stay around my friends, things like that,” says Pelletier. “The coaching staff is awesome. Regina seemed like the place to be and everything just seemed to fit well for me. I'm going on my fifth season with the team right now and I wouldn't change it for the world.”

During his time at U of R, Noah has truly begun to find his place as a leader, both in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.

Stepping Up as a Leader

Despite a somewhat unusual start to his university football career due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Noah quickly found his footing within the Rams' program. As a quarterback, he assumed a natural leadership position and embraced the opportunity to lead by example.

While he admits that he's not one to yell or talk a lot, he understands the impact his words and actions can have on his teammates. With a humble and hardworking approach, Noah has become a respected figure within the Rams' program, displaying quiet confidence and leading by example in everything he does.

This mentality was put to the test early this season, when an injury to Rams starting quarterback Owen Sieben forced Pelletier into action midway through the team’s opening game against the Calgary Dinos.

“It's always tough seeing a teammate and a friend go down, it’s not what you want to see,” says Pelletier. “But understanding that's the game, that's how football goes sometimes. You realize that, okay, now it's my job and I need to take care of business.”

“You always have the mindset your chance could come at any moment.”

Noah steered home a win over the Dinos, then seized the opportunity again the following week against rival Saskatchewan. He set a school single-game record with an absurd 83.9% completion percentage in a key 33-28 win over the Huskies, completing 26 of his 31 passes including a pair of long touchdown strikes.

He was named the conference’s offensive player of the week after the performance, a defining moment that showcased his growth as a leader, both on and off the field.

Despite a string of tough defeats that leaves the Rams sitting at 2-3 after Week 5, the team is still firmly in the playoff hunt in the wide open Canada West. It’s been an impressive reversal of fortune after the team endured a difficult one win campaign last season. ​ ​

Connecting to His Métis Heritage

Noah’s leadership extends beyond the football field and into the community. As a Métis student-athlete, he recognizes the importance of being a role model for young athletes, particularly within Indigenous communities.

He has become an inspiring figure, demonstrating that with commitment and hard work, anything is possible.

“No matter what your background is, you can be successful in so many different ways,” Pelletier said. “Being able to represent my community through my sport and in so many other different ways is something I’m super grateful for.”

Connecting to his heritage has been a journey of discovery for Noah, spurred on by his enrolment in University of Regina’s SUNTEP (Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program) and his career aspirations of becoming a teacher. ​

“Honestly growing up, I didn't know a lot about [my Métis culture]. But as I got older I got to learn more. I was introduced to SUNTEP by my sister Danille who also went through the program, and just seeing how much she was learning about our Métis culture was inspiring. She was able to pass some of that knowledge on and it kind of sparked an interest in me.”

The program has provided a unique environment for personal discovery. For Noah, highlights have included attending a Michif language camp, as well as a field trip to Winnipeg to visit historically significant Métis sites. ​

Noah has also embraced the opportunity to connect with Indigenous youth and help grow the game of football in underrepresented communities. This past summer, he worked with the Rider Foundation and Football Saskatchewan to create his own football camp titled “Grow the Game.” The camp focused on introducing the game of football to non-traditional football demographics, including Indigenous youth, new Canadians, and women and girls. 

“The focus was on growing the game in underrepresented groups in football, including Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan, mainly in Regina but also on reserves around Saskatchewan. I also worked with newcomers to Canada through the Open Door Society in Regina and Saskatoon. It's great to see these groups growing, and I'm glad to play a role in that. My hope is that these experiences spark an interest in flag football, tackle football, or becoming fans of the Rams or Riders.”

Having the opportunity to be a role model is something Noah takes a lot of pride in.

“I'm getting my education and playing high-level football, but I'm not just saying that to brag to the kids. I'm saying it to show them that it's possible for them as well. As long as you commit to something and work hard at something, truly anything is possible.”

A Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

Noah acknowledges the importance of taking the time to reflect and learn about the history and experiences of Indigenous peoples, including the generational trauma inflicted by residential schools.

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is observed in Canada on Sept. 30, Noah emphasizes the significance of taking the time to learn, reflect, and engage with Indigenous communities.

For him, this day serves as an opportunity to honour the experiences and contributions of Indigenous peoples and to continue the journey of healing and understanding.

“Looking back on it, when I didn’t know a lot about my culture I still tried to learn about it and give back in any way I could,” Pelletier said. “But it brings a different sense of meaning when you understand that you are part of that culture, and your family is a part of that culture.”

“For lots of people, they treat it as a day off. But it's important to understand what you are doing during that day off. Are you taking the time to learn? Are you taking the time to reflect? Because there truly is so much to learn about it. I've learned a lot about it in the past couple of years, but I also understand there's still so much more to learn. Even taking 10 minutes out of your day to learn a little bit about the history, learn a little bit about what truth and reconciliation is, what it means and how you can help, is a great start.”

Noah says there’s many ways to deepen one’s understanding of Indigenous heritage and culture, including elder talks and cultural celebrations. For him, attending sweat lodges have been an important opportunity to deepen his own personal reflection.

“Attending a sweat lodge is such a great experience and learning about that process has been super cool. Hearing stories from elders, hearing their prayers and songs. I feel like that's my number one place to reflect.”

As Noah continues to make an impact on and off the field, he remains committed to building a brighter and more inclusive future for all young athletes.

His story is a great example that it’s never too late to connect with your culture. He remains optimistic that Canadians will keep taking meaningful steps toward truth and reconciliation.

“I think it’s super meaningful for Indigenous groups to be recognized. There were a lot of bad things that happened [in residential schools] and there are lasting effects on families and different Indigenous communities. It's important that we don't ignore it and that we're addressing it in the proper way and taking steps forward. I think it's so important that we have that day to focus on it. I hope to continue to see bigger steps with truth and reconciliation and I think we'll continue to see positive steps forward.”