Windspeaker sports briefs - September

Major funding received
It’s a win-win situation for British Columbia’s Scowlitz First Nation. It was announced in early August that the Scowlitz First Nation, located northeast of Chilliwack, will receive $300,000 in funding through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program, which is a major job-creating investment from the country’s Economic Action Plan.

The country-wide program will invest a total of $500 million in recreational facilities during the next two years. With its funding, the Scowlitz First Nation, a community with just over 200 people, will replace its playground equipment and also construct a skateboard park, basketball court and soccer field.

The First Nation currently has limited recreational options for its residents. Besides the improved and new facilities, the First Nation is expected to benefit from the program as jobs will also be created for local workers.

Aboriginal jump added
One of the country’s top equestrian facilities is getting an Aboriginal flavour as part of its major renovations. The Thunderbird Show Park is located in Langley, B.C., dubbed the Horse Capital of Canada. The park is considered one of the continent’s top equestrian facilities. The Thunderbird Show Park is undergoing $625,000 in renovations.

As part of the changes, Kwantlen carver Drew Atkins was commissioned to create a jump for the park. The Coast Salish design he chose includes salmon, representing tenacity and waves. The design depicts the Fraser River, which provides both a means of transportation and a source of food for First Nations people, making it a vital part of their lives. Park officials had asked Atkins for a design that would incorporate the history and culture of the Aboriginal peoples from the area. Besides the salmon and waves, the jump rails are in the shape of a canoe, representing the importance of travel on the river.

Program gets city funding
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz has announced his city has pledged $60,000 to an Aboriginal athletic program. Katz made the announcement on Aug. 23 at the Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, a facility which since 1984 has worked to support families by creating opportunities for community and family involvement.

The pledged money will go towards an inner-city program called Positive Athletic Cultural Experiences for Youth (PACE). This program is geared towards at-risk children between six and 17 with athletic, cultural and recreational activities.

Capitals acquire King
D.J. King is now hoping to revive his National Hockey League career with the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old Metis, who is from Meadow Lake, Sask., was dealt from the St. Louis Blues to Washington in late July in exchange for prospect Stefan Della Rovere. King appeared in 101 NHL contests with the Blues over four seasons, but he has suffered through a couple of injury-plagued seasons the last few years. King played just 12 games with St. Louis last season. He also suited up for 10 games with the Peoria Rivermen, the Blues’ American Hockey League affiliate.

Injuries also limited King to just one game with the Blues during the 2008-09 campaign. King, a scrappy 6-foot-3, 230-pound left winger, enjoyed his best NHL season during the 2007-08 year. He appeared in 61 games that year collecting six points (three goals, three assists). He was also assessed an even 100 penalty minutes that year.

National lacrosse tournament
A pair of Ontario teams will be looking to defend their titles at the National Aboriginal Field Lacrosse Tournament. This year’s event will be staged Sept. 3 to 5 in Saskatoon. The boys’ tournament will feature under-16 and under-19 divisions. Besides Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, it will also field entries in both divisions. All squads will play four round-robin matches at the tournament. Those that place first and second in both divisions will then square off in the championship final. Bronze-medal matches will also be staged in the two categories.

Both of the Ontario teams will open the tourney on Sept. 3 against their B.C. counterparts. Those in the under-16 will by vying to capture the Alumni Cup. And those at the under-19 level will be attempting to win the First Nations Trophy.