Community celebrates success in hosting games

Page 11

The 2001 Saskatchewan First Nations Summer Games are gone, but they left behind an asphalt track, some fond memories, and a heap of praise for the hosts.

"Six months was all the notice the Lac La Ronge Indian band had (to organize the games), and they deserve a big hand," said Gary Merasty, chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council. "It's not an easy task."

Well over 3,000 athletes, plus coaches, chaperones and fans, poured into La Ronge beginning Aug. 12 for four days of athletics and four nights of fun.

"We thank you for sending your students and your athletes to these events," said Chief Harry Cook of the Lac La Ronge Indian band at the opening ceremonies (delayed one night because of a thunderstorm).

"I am truly honored to welcome you to our community."

The opening ceremonies across from Patterson Park included an honor song and victory song by the Sturgeon Lake drum group Iron Swing. The athletic teams from 10 tribal councils marched through a cheering crowd along La Ronge Avenue.

La Ronge Ave. was also closed down for entertainment by Voices of the North Tuesday night, topped off by fireworks on the lakeshore.

"The opening ceremonies were my favorite part," said site manager Kevin Roberts, stressing that it took hundreds of people to host the games. "It was really a team effort ... you need a strong organizing committee, you need volunteers and you need corporate sponsorship."

They also needed co-operation from La Ronge and Air Ronge, which Chief Cook lauded in his public remarks. "We share such a big community," he said. Most First Nations Games are held entirely on reserve, but this year, the ceremonies, cultural village, the athletes' village and some sports were held off reserve.

"It's also been an opportunity for La Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian band to pull together," said Mayor Joe Hordyski of La Ronge, who joked that he was so overwhelmed by the crowds, he was about to declare La Ronge a city.

Said band councillor Jimmy Roberts, if people think the Lac La Ronge Indian band is big, it just got bigger.

Because La Ronge provided several of the facilities, the games were spread out among several sites, which is unusual. Some participants regretted that events were spread out, but that didn't keep them from having fun, getting new friends to autograph their T-shirts, and catching up with old friends.

"My friend, who moved away years ago, I got to see her for the first time in two years," said Kayla Thiessen of Saskatoon.

The First Nations Summer Games drew favorable comments from local citizens and visitors.

"I wouldn't change anything," said Cody Bear, a track athlete from Stanley Mission. His buddy, Jamie Charles of La Ronge, said the organization was very good - and wearing a gold medal certainly makes you happy about things, he added.

David Thomas of Chitek Lake, a coach with the Agency Chiefs Tribal Council, said the games treated him and his team "just super."

"We've been satisfied with the food," he grinned. "I've been to six or seven Summer Games, and this is the best food I've had." He also complimented the security volunteers at the games for helping to keep things orderly.

And as for the rain that fell some evenings, Thomas said he's been to games that were a lot wetter.

Roberts also singled out the food and the security as areas for which he has heard many compliments, although certainly not the only services that ran well. The tribal councils' coordinators told him Lac La Ronge Indian band did very well, especially given their short six-month notice that they would be the host. He also suspects the games were on budget, although the final numbers are not yet known.

"The community and the volunteers did a marvelous job ... I think it's turned a lot of heads," said Mayor Hordyski at the closing ceremonies.