Twenty-fifth Indian Summer Games a huge success

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The Big River First Nation hosted the 25th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games from August 15 to 19.

The turnout of athletes, coaches and spectators was excellent on the first day of competition, however rain later on postponed some of the first events of the games.

One event that wasn't postponed was the highly anticipated opening ceremonies on Day 2 that paid tribute to the 25th anniversary of the games. More than 2,600 athletes, coaches and chaperones showed up to show off their home colors from each tribal council in Saskatchewan. The ceremonies began with an opening prayer and with the lance runners leading the way around the track to officially begin the games.

The lance runners from Big River continued the tradition of the games by running day and night from Cowessess First Nation (host of the 1998 games) to Big River.

As each team - from the Prince Albert Grand Council to the Meadow Lake Tribal Council - walked around the track yelling "We are number one," the games committee members were setting up the stage for the dignitaries who attended the opening. Everyone from Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Grand Chief Perry Bellegarde to Tony Cote - the founder of the games - made a short presentation to the athletes on how important sports are to young people.

FSIN Vice-Chief Lawrence Joseph encouraged the athletes to try hard at what they do but added a joke to keep it in prespective.

"Sports is just an example of how good you can do in life," he said. "Hey . . . if you don't win any medals, that's okay. When Chief Perry Bellegrade was a young athlete, he lost every single event. So 25 years later, he went into politics."

The opening ceremonies brought laughter, pride, and good memories back to those who remember the very first games on the Cote First Nation in 1974. As for the young athletes of 1999, the opening ceremonies began the excitement that would later build into fierce competition in soccer, fastball and track and field. Many of the athletes said this year's games were the best and that they would remember them for the next 25 years.

Throughout the week, the games were broadcast live on Regina's Z 99 FM, and Missinipi Broadcasting, 89.9 FM, the northern voice of Aboriginal people. The games also attracted much of the TV and print media. CBC News Hour was on location and so were the Star Phoenix (Saskatoon), the Leader Post (Regina), the Daily Herald (Prince Albert), and Aboriginal publications such as Generation X, Sask Indian (FSIN) and Saskatchewan Sage. It was the first time the Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games received so much publicity and attention in the province.

On Day 3 of the games the rain stopped and the temperature was hot. Meadow Lake Tribal Council led the way with 132 points, while Prince Albert Grand Council trailed with 122 points, File Hills followed with 111 points in third place, no other tribal council at this time had over 100 points to threaten the three leaders.

Derek Klein, co-ordinator of the games, was one of the many people who played an important role.

"Our goal was to make the 25th anniversary of the games the biggest one ever. And I think we did that," explained Klein, who when asked about how he did in the golf scramble against all the corporate sponsors, replied, "No comment."

During the hot and sometimes rainy days of the games, the competition between the tribal councils was very close in every sport. In the end, it was Meadow Lake Tribal Council taking first place for the second time in a row with 513 points. Prince Albert Tribal Council finished second with 464 points and File Hills Qu'Appelle tribal Council was third with 463 points.

The evening entertainment during the games was very exciting as well. The opening ceremonies had Juno award winning group, The Watchmen, perform a concert for the athletes. After the concert there was the largest fireworks display in Saskatchewan.

The next day had a hypnotist perform trics on the partcipants and chaperones after that was the Much Music dance that was held outside on the Big River track.

Day 4 was a round dance, and Day 5 brought the closing ceremonies that put an end to a successful week of sports, culture and recreation for the many Aboriginal youth who participated.

The 25th anniversary Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games was without a doubt the very best games in history. Now it's up to the Saskatchewan Tribal Council to see if they can do the same.

The next big Native-organized games will be the 2000 Saskatchewan Indian Winter Games to be held in Saskatoon.

Final standings: (source: Missinipi Broadcasting newsroom)

1. Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) 513 points

2. Prince Albert Tribal Council (PAGC) 464 points

3. File Hills Tribal Council (FTC) 463 points

4. Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) 444 points

5. Onion Lake Tribal Council (OLTC) 341 points

6. Battleford Tribal Council (BTC) 330 points

7. Agency Chiefs Tribal Council (ACTC) 319 points

8. Yorkton Tribal Council (YTC) 310 points

9. Touch Wood Tribal Council (TWTC) 246 points

10. South East Treaty 4 Tribal Council

(SET4TC) 128 points