Let the games begin
Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games open Sunday in Waycobah First Nation
SYDNEY — The Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games are not just about the competition.
The 2019 edition of the games will begin Sunday in Waycobah First Nation and run until Aug. 25.
The eight-day event will be held in Cape Breton for the fourth straight year. Last year, the event took place in Eskasoni, while Wagmatcook hosted in 2017 and Membertou in 2016.
About 2,000 athletes from First Nations communities across Nova Scotia and Quebec will attend this year’s summer games.
In total, 24 sports and cultural events are scheduled for the week including archery, golf, softball, volleyball, basketball, swimming, and track and field.
“It’s a wonderful thing, everyone comes together, and they show community pride,” said the games’ technical director Wallace Bernard.
“There are lots of cultural events where the athletes can learn and make new friends and make memories that will last a lifetime.”
After a length absence, the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games returned in 2010 with Membertou hosting the event.
The overall goal for the games was to inspire youth and young adults to believe in themselves, achieve their dreams and unite with all Indigenous communities to share and learn Mi’kmaq culture and traditions.
Waycobah last hosted the games in 2013 and the community is looking forward to once again hosting the athletes.
“It’s a chance for the community to show how good they can be when it comes to hosting events like this and it also showcases the community,” said Wallace. “Our community is pretty excited.”
Along with the athletes, the event is expected to draw about 6,000 people to the Waycobah community over the weeklong competition.
“All the hotels, motels and campgrounds in the area are booked,” said Wallace. “It’s going to be a good week for everyone in our community.”
A full schedule of events can be found at waycobahsummergames.ca.