Games were a success again
SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan First Nations Winter Games — which are equal parts culture and sport — wrapped up Friday in Saskatoon and sent thousands of athletes and support staff back to their homes.
The five-day event included badminton, volleyball, hockey, broomball, three-onthree basketball and curling. There was also a strong cultural component during a rare opportunity to bring First Nations youth from across the province together in one venue.
“We’re trying to make it a holistic approach,” said event chair Eugene Arcand. “Sport provides young people a chance to showcase their talents, and it also gives them something to look forward to.
“It’s when there’s hopelessness that you see suicides and all those other negative things. It’s the beating of a person. And when you have something to look forward to, something to participate in, it diminishes that chance.”
The games were marred Thursday when a line brawl during a midget hockey game between File Hills Qu’appelle and Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs sent one player to hospital. Everybody involved was suspended, and Arcand says he hopes hard lessons were learned.
“This happens in other minor tournaments in Saskatchewan, but because it’s happening in First Nations country during the Winter Games ... it shouldn’t paint everybody with the same brush,” Arcand said. “I don’t mind it being a bruise on the 2012 Winter Games, but I don’t want it to be a black eye.
“At the end of the day, we have to fix it, whether it be First Nations or non-first Nations. It’s just a game, but it’s more than a game. It’s about life. Some hard lessons were learned with what happened, including the fear after the injury.
“I don’t think you’ll see that happen again.”
The Agency Chiefs Tribal Council topped the overall medal count with nine gold, 11 silver and five bronze medals.
The Saskatoon Tribal Council (seven gold, six silver, six bronze) was second, and Team Woodland (five gold, four silver, three bronze) placed third among 13 teams.
Next year’s First Nations Summer Games are to be held on the Muskoday First Nation. The First Nations Winter Games in 2014 are slated for Prince Albert.