Nolan doesn't say much about those types of issues.

Instead, he works to help make a difference on the reserves himself.

He formed 3 Nolans with his father and former Sabres head coach Ted Nolan and his brother, Brandon. They run hockey schools across Canada to help First Nation youth develop hockey skills. But it's through hockey that they can teach bigger lessons -- like creating a healthy, active lifestyle and becoming a leader in their community.

"My dad didn't have a lot growing up and he somehow found a way to accomplish his goal of playing and coaching in the NHL and I think a lot of these kids just need to see someone that was in a familiar situation as them, from a small reserve, and just realize if you work hard for something, that it can come true," Nolan said. "That's the message that we're trying to tell these kids, that you might not have the most skill or the best surroundings, but if you work hard for something it usually happens for you."

And it can happen for a kid from a small First Nations reserve, who never forgets where he came from or the people still living there.