Saskatchewan tops at Indigenous Games

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There was no stopping Team Saskatchewan at the North American Indigenous Games. They dominated almost every competition, finishing with a combined total of 199 medals.

Head coach Eugene Arcand credited a strong coaching staff and the dedication instilled in his athletes to their enormous success.

"All our athletes were trained by qualified carded coaches. And our athletes were taught the principal of not giving up when losing."

"We are very proud of all the athletes," said Arcand.

Team Sask. captured 75 gold, 70 silver, and 54 bronze medals.

In the canoeing event, where much of their strength lay, teams from Stanley Mission and Cumberland, Sask., won 15 of 18 gold medals available. In four canoeing heats they took all the gold, silver and bronze medals.

About 3,000 athletes from across North America participated in the Indigenous Games' held in Edmonton from June 30-July 7.

With over 350 athletes Team Sask. had the largest contingent.

"We began preparing our athletes last November and much of their success at the games must be awarded to Native organizations and Indian reserves back home. They helped fund the trip to Alberta and were responsible for play-offs and tryouts in their areas," said Arcand.

"It was a mammoth undertaking by many Native people," he said.

In track and field events the favorite, Team Alberta, finished well behind Saskatchewan.

Team Sask. boasted 27 gold, 24 silver and 24 bronze medals while Alberta finished with 18 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze.

In soccer Team British Columbia grabbed the limelight away from the powerful Saskatchewan team, winning four gold, a silver and a bronze medal.

However, as in all events Team Saskatchewan entered, they still managed to win medals, taking one gold, three silver and two bronze.

Arcand said the calibre of his athletes was no fluke.

"We didn't just pick our athletes by random. Everyone who attended the games had team the right to be there," he said.

Arcand added now that the momentum has been established and athletes from across Saskatchewan have been identified, there will be no looking back for Team Sask.

"We plan to continue with the growth of our athletes. It is our intent to keep them involved in sports' activities and we now have the support of the communities and various sports bodies," said Arcand, executive director of the Native friendship center at Prince Alberta, Sask.

Overall Team Alberta took 180 medals in the games, finishing just behind Saskatchewan but well ahead of Manitoba, which claimed third spot with 57 medals. British Columbia took fourth spot with 52 medals.

One Alberta athlete did exceptionally well at the games. In her first competition, Aura Calahasen, 11, of Edmonton won six gold medals in swimming. She's the daughter of Helen Callahasen-Harrison and Ron Harrison.