Golf, unity, friendship

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Unity, friendship and networking are some of the goals of the organizers of the annual First Nations Cup Golf Tournament. This year's event was held at the Ironhead Golf & Country Club on Aug. 9 to 11.

More than 200 people attended the three-day tourney that had 19 teams from First Nations communities take part. Samson, Paul Band, Saddle Lake, Alexis, Alexander, Buck Lake, Swan River, Enoch, Nakoda Stoney, Louis Bull and Ermineskin of Alberta, Beardy's/Okemasis, George Gordon, Kaneonuskatew, Kawacatoose, Onion Lake, and Mosquito if Saskatchewan, Osooyoos in B.C, and Lac La Croix in Ontario all sent representatives.

Alberta's Samson Cree Nation acquired the most points and walked away with the trophy, $9,000, championship jackets, a set of golf shirts, and other prizes. Organizer Mervin Kootenay of the Alexis First Nation called the event a success.

"It was exciting. It is growing by leaps and bounds. There was a lot of good golf being played at this tournament. Through this tournament, one of the things that we like to do is promote unity in our communities across Canada. We need the togetherness that communities should have, so by having a team in the community it seems like they come together.

"A lot of these teams are made up of councilmen, managers, decision makers, so it is good to get to know other people from other communities, which could result in some business ventures, whatever, so that is part of it and for me that is a big one."

He said the golf is great too.

"I know that it is going to be bigger and that is what we'd like to see, not only to showcase the golf, but to also build relationships," he said.

Kootenay, who started the event in 1999, was inspired after participating in numerous tournaments throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan and seeing the number of great Aboriginal players out there.

"All the players have to be from their communities and have to have treaty status. That is one of the prerequisites. We know that there are a lot of good golfers in our communities, that there are a lot of young guys that show a lot of promise, so we try to showcase the talent that is there. You can see that they have the natural talent to be a golfer, so we try to develop a tournament that showcases Aboriginal golfers. We want to promote them," he said.

Kootanay said he's seen individuals change through playing golf.

"Especially in our community of Alexis where these young people had problems with drugs and alcohol. That is all they did, but once they were introduced to the game of golf, they did fine. They were saying how great the game is and how much fun it is."

Kootenay thinks that by providing an alternative to young people they will stay away from bars, parties and mischief.

"I've seen that happen. I want to provide that to the young people because I know it works. Once they've discovered that the game was great, being outdoors on a nice day or a nice evening, once they've fallen in love with the game, they are on the court all weekend having fun.

"I'm a big fan myself. If I'm finished my round I will go out and watch, especially the number one ranked teams. A lot of the players at this tournament are number one ranked players. They are pros," he said.