Summer games show what First Nations are about

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"It was the best fun - being a Cowessess band member and part of the summer games."

That sums up the excitement Darren Lerat, 13, of Saskatoon feels about the 24th annual Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games held in the Qu'Appelle Valley on the Cowessess First Nation, north of Broadview.

Morley Watson, First Vice Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations echoes that sentiment on behalf of Saskatchewan's 72 First Nations, "the summer games show what our First Nations are all about."

The Cowessess population blossomed from a community of 600 to a large town, with 3,000 youth participating. People pitched tents in the rain, fighting mud and the mosquitoes. They played their hearts out in golf, soccer, fastball and track and field.

To add to the comradery of the sporting activities were cultural events, a tradeshow, novel food items including bologna bannock burgers, and a youth conference.

The colorful opening ceremonies included eight RCMP officers dressed in red surge, dignitaries and the Lance runners, followed by incredible fireworks resounding through the valley under a full summer moon.

The games were created in 1974 to provide an opportunity for First Nations youth to become active in sporting events not available to them in the mainstream system and has grown to one of the largest sporting events in the province. Twenty-four years ago, founder Tony Cote, of the Yorkton Tribal Council, began the tradition of the summer games to give youth a focus and a chance to compete and build new friendships.

"These games are for the young people," says Cote.

Perry Bellgarde, Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says the games help youth abstain from alcohol and drugs, ensuring they have respect for themselves and their communities.

With competition comes excellence, and the summer games honored its outstanding athletes with medals during the closing ceremonies. Meadow Lake Tribal Council went home the point leader with 940, followed by Yorkton Tribal Council (the host agency) at 708 points, Touchwood File Hill Qu'Appelle made an excellent showing at 635, the Battlefords at 626. Saskatoon tallied 546 points, Prince Albert 542, Onion Lake 299, Agency Chiefs 282, Fort Carlton 213 and South East Treaty 4 Tribal Council 166.

For 28 of the participants ranging in ages 14 to 23, the summer games will live on in memory as a very cultural experience. These young people were part of the Sacred Lance run. The Lance is a cultural symbol that First Nations runners carry from one summer games host community to the next.

This is the fourth year the run has been part of the games. For six days, fourteen Cowessess and 14 Whitecap runners escorted the Lance over 400 km from Whitecap Dakota Sioux First Nation near Saskatoon to Cowessess in the Qu'Appelle Valley, 150 kilometers east of Regina.

Gord Lerat, 45, of the Cowessess First Nation, co-ordinated the Lance run. Lerat was a distance runner in his youth. He says this experience was much more than just endurance and speed.

"There was a lot of cultural involvement. To qualify, runners had to display a high level of commitment and a positive attitude. They agree to remain drug and alcohol free and participate in the pipe ceremonies, sharing circles and sweats, before and during the run."

They ran 65 to 90 kilometers a day at approximately 12.5 kilometers an hour. The runners were split into four groups based on speed and endurance or sprinter abilities. The rotation of runners was modified as the kilometers ticked by - to keep on schedule and to avoid fatigue.

"The runners quickly came to care for and look out for each other and display a natural flow of co-operation and concern. It was as if they were running for all the people, especially those who can't run and who can't do the things that they can do. That was the special effort they made as they continued the ancient tradition of the Lance runners who carried messages from tribe to tribe."

"oung people have a lot more respect and understanding that they are given credit for," says Gord Lerat. "They just have to be listened to."

For two of the Lance runners, Sheldon Buffalo, 23, from Whitecap Dakota Sioux First Nation, and Ry Lerat, 17, carrying the Lance is a physical and emotional experience that they will carry with them always.

As lead Lance carriers, Buffalo and Ry Lerat became friends, despite their age difference, and grew together in understanding and appreciating the world around them as a result of their journey. Buffalo, whose knee gave out en route, says Lerat gave him the power to go on. Buffalo was privileged to carry the Lance in last year's run to Whitecap and says the spirit of the Grandfather Lance will live in his soul and his heart even though it has been passed on to the Cowessess runners.

"When I first held the Lance, I experienced all of the emotions of the human soul. Before, when I looked at a tree, I saw branches and leaves. After I held the Lance, I could see the colors and I knew the tree, as all things, has a spirit. I took the Lance as a person. I respected it and honored it. The Lance helped me to see things I had taken for granted."

Ry Lerat says his personality changed in the seven days of the Lance run. It took some preparation to be ready for the experience. He went to sweats, maintained a good lifestyle without drugs and alcohol, and talked to elders for support, and when he returned home, there was a difference in how he felt towards others.

"The Lance is a powerful spirit," he says. "It made me realize that life is a very sacred thing. Don't abuse it or take it for granted. The lance is a root, a grandfather of all roots. Everyone who touches the soul of the Lance is brought back to our old ways where there was little violence and abuse. For the youth of tomorrow, we need that root to take hold."

And not only did the young people benefit. Gord Lerat says, "I know now what our culture can do to bring people toether in a good way to create better understanding."

As the Lance Run co-ordinator, he will care for the Lance until the 1999 Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games on Whitefish.

"I have the honor to keep the Lance, and in turn, the Lance will be keeping me."