Volunteers revving up for Indian winter games

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Spectators and athletes can expect some healthy competition at this year's Saskatchewan Indian Winter Games from April 23 to 27 in Saskatoon.

They can also expect some significant changes to the way the games are structured, said event manager Eugene Arcand.

"It's the first games of the new millennium so we're going to try a few different things," said Arcand, whose committee began organizing the event more than a year ago. "We really wanted to focus a lot on the corporate partnerships that we've built over the years. It's an excellent opportunity to build new relationships with the business community and to set a new standard for the games."

This year's event, hosted by the Saskatoon Tribal Council, will place a heavy emphasis on corporate participation. For example, a unique arrangement involving the Saskatoon Hotels Association will provide rooms for all out-of-town competitors, giving athletes more privacy and better access to showers and sleeping facilities.

In previous games, most athletes have stayed in temporary dorms with shared facilities and communal sleeping areas. The new arrangement will allow athletes to be well-rested for competition, said Arcand. It will also make the event more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Organizers are also hoping corporate partners will provide meals and lunches to visiting athletes. Details are still being ironed out but Arcand is hoping local businesses and restaurants will take turns sponsoring team meals at locations throughout the city.

"It's a new strategy and it's taken a lot of effort," he said. "My hope is that they (the athletes) enjoy the extras but also respect them. We want to make the games as enjoyable as we can."

About 2,500 First Nation athletes will participate in this year's games, making the event one of the largest Indian winter games ever held in the province.

The 2000 games will include four medal sports for male and female participants and will involve competitors from six to 17 years old. The medal sports are hockey, volleyball, broomball and badminton. Organizers have also included indoor soccer as a demonstration sport this year, hoping it will encourage more participation among young female athletes. For hockey, male and female athletes in the peewee, atom and novice divisions will play at the Jemini Arena on Grasswood Road. Bantam players will compete at the AgriPlace Arena at 205 Apex St. and midget competition will take place in the Harold Latrace Arena at 1347 Fletcher Rd.

All gold medal hockey games will take place April 27 at Saskatchewan Place.

In badminton, male and female athletes in all age groups will compete at the Riverside Badminton and Tennis Club on Spadina Crescent.

Volleyball and soccer competition for all ages, male and female, will take place at the Henk Ruys Soccer Centre, 219 Primrose Dr. Registration for all events is April 23. The opening ceremonies take place April 24 with competition beginning immediately afterward. Other events include a corporate dinner and pro-am boxing card, April 26 at Saskatchewan Place, a millennium powwow on Monday and Tuesday, April 24 and 25, and the closing ceremonies, April 27 at Saskatchewan Place.

This is the first time in 25 years that Saskatoon has hosted the Saskatchewan Indian Winter Games so organizers are eager to make the event a memorable one for participants, parents, volunteers and corporate sponsors, said Arcand.

Another new approach to this year's event involves the volunteers. This year, for the first time ever, games volunteers are being asked to pay a $30 registration fee to help pay for the event.

Arcand says the registration fee hasn't discouraged volunteers from coming forward. In fact, many see the fee as an incentive to ensure the games go off without a hitch. So far, about 250 volunteers have come forward.

"A lot of them look at it as an investment in the games," Arcand said. "We've had very good response so far."

Volunteers who register will receive an official Saskatcewan Indian Winter Games windshirt and full access to all events. There are also a variety of other incentives for volunteers, based on the number of hours they contribute. Additional volunteers are always welcome.

As for the competition itself, the Meadow Lake Tribal Council will arrive at the 2000 winter games as defending champions.

"Meadow Lake has been dominating the summer and winter games for a few years now so everyone's out to get them," said Arcand. "I just can't say enough about what these games mean. It's a very big deal for our young athletes so we want to do everything we can to make it a positive, memorable experience for them . We can never rest on our laurels."