Members of Team B.C. who attended the 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Regina last month have made history by becoming the first team to win both the Overall Team Title and the John Fletcher Spirit Award.
Team B.C., including eight young First Nations athletes from the Saanich Peninsula, competed in 13 sports and won a total of 160 medals (63 gold, 49 Silver and 48 bronze) between July 20 and 27.
The medal count put the team in first place (only one medal ahead of Team Saskatchewan) which was a first time occurrence for Team B.C. at the NAIG.
The team was also the recipient of the John Fletcher Spirit Award which is presented annually to the contingent that best demonstrates the spirit of teamwork, fair play, respect and integrity throughout the week.
“It was a real nail-biter,” said Lara Mussell, Team B.C.’s Chef de Mission.
“We exchanged the lead with Team Saskatchewan several times throughout the Games and it came down to the last few events of the final day. What makes this win even more special was also being awarded the John Fletcher Spirit Award. The team’s performance, perseverance and conduct, both on and off the field, exemplified the ideals of the North American Indigenous Games: The Spirit—Strong, Brave, True.”
The North American Indigenous Games is an international multi-sport event, involving North American Indigenous athletes from 13 provinces and territories Canada and 13 regions in the United States, staged intermittently since 1990. This year 4,800 Indigenous athletes and coaches and 200 cultural performers attended the games.
Local athletes Ambrose Underwood, Landon Underwood and Shyquintin Charlie came fourth with the Men’s U16 Lacrosse Team and
Rob Charlie came fifth with the U19 Lacrosse Team.
Brittney Sam came 13th in Canoe Pulling while Hannah Morris took bronze in Women’s U18 Soccer and Kayleigh Gladstone brought home gold in Women’s U16 Softball.
For full results visit regina2014naig.com.
— With files from the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council