First Nations Ski Team strikes gold

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Cort Gallup may be starting small, but his long range goals are big.

"We're aiming to produce Olympic and World Cup skiers," says the Cree coach of the new First Nations Ski Team. "But first we have to provide an opportunity to learn and to race."

Since last November Gallup has been giving the team that chance. In four months the youths have pulled together as a team and as individual athletes.

"We have a good future," Gallup says. "We're starting young."

He's not exaggerating. The youngest member of the team is Travis Calliou, a six-year-old from Calgary, who already raced his way to a gold medal at the Treaty 7 Winter Games is February.

The notice ski team wasn't shy on the slopes there, sweeping a total of seven gold, four silver and two bronze medals. Seven of the nine-member team took part in the Treaty 7 Winter games, racing with Gallup and assistant trainer Leon Anthony. They competed successfully against four Native ski teams at Westcastle Ski Resort in southwest Alberta.

Calliou's team mates include nine-year-olds Tyler Smith and Jaydee Tuharsky, and older team mates such as Jordan Calliou, Shane Breaker, Nick Leech, Jason Stevens and Gena Calliou. The oldest team member is 16. All members compete in downhill, free-style and giant slalom but in the future will specialize, said Gallup.

The Westcastle games were the first opportunity the team had to race against other Native skiers. Previous competitions at Calgary Olympic Park, Nakiska and in Banff were sanctioned provincial races, with the Alberta Alpine Racing Association.

The provincial races proved a challenge, however the teams' results were respectable considering the highly experienced competition, said Gallup.

"Jason Stevens, from Siksika, placed 23rd in the Nakiska race, competing against boys with much more experience and training. Nick Leech had a tremendous first run in the Giant Slalom at Sunshine," said an optimistic Gallup. "Unfortunately he crashed in the second run."

Leech and Jason Calliou are the most experienced team members with five and six years of recreation skiing behind them. Gallup has been ski racing for 15 years and competed successfully in Pan-Alberta races, with the University of Calgary and the Sunshine Ski Clubs.

Learning about equipment maintenance is priority for the team as some don't own their own.

"Skiing is an expensive sport," Gallup admits. "It's probably one of the reasons there are few Natives in the sport."

Easy Rent-A-Ski in Calgary has provided equipment for some of the team. More donations came from Canada Olympic Park which donated 40 ski tickets for training sessions, and a $500 cash donation from Molsons to help with expenses. But more is needed to keep the team in racing form.

"We'd really like someone to sponsor a community bingo for the group," said Connie Tuharsky, team treasurer. "And we'd welcome any small donation people can give."

The team has the moral and administrative support of the Native Canadian Child Care Society. The Calgary-based organization is headed by Lina Gallup, coach Gallup's mother. The Calgary Indian Friendship Centre has also adopted the team.

"I came up with the idea for the team at the Friendship Centre," Gallup said. "I went down there one day to play volleyball with some friends and there were all these young people, just hanging around, looking for something to do. I think most Natives

are naturally good athletes, so putting together a ski team seemed possible."