By meadowlakeNOW

Flying Dust athletes looking forward to FN Summer Games

Aug 6, 2017 | 9:43 AM

A group of 31 athletes from Flying Dust First Nation are set to represent Team Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) at the Saskatchewan First Nation Summer Games. 

The event kicks off with opening ceremonies Aug. 7 and the sporting activities run until Aug. 11. Approximately 5,000 Indigenous youth between the ages of 13 and 18 from across Saskatchewan will take part.

Several athletes and chaperones met up at the Flying Dust Gymnasium Saturday morning to board the bus to Regina together. The games are hosted by File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council, and athletes will participate in several sports including archery, beach volleyball, canoeing, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball and track and field-related events.

Flying Dust First Nation Recreation Coordinator Eric Gladue was one of the main tryouts organizers and is accompanying the local athletes to the games.

“The majority of our athletes are in track and field,” he said. “The rest are all spread out. The athletes from here are on Team MLTC and represent one of the nine First Nations.”

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Other MLTC First Nations, such as Makwa Sahgaiehcan and Canoe Lake, are sending close to 60 athletes from their communities. 

Gladue said the athletes have a lot to look forward during the week, including their respective competitions. 

“Usually every summer games they have culture events every evening and have entertainment every evening,” Gladue said. “I think they’ll enjoy meeting people and meeting other athletes.”

Tierra Aubichon, 17, is on the soccer team. This is her fourth trip to the games and the last which she can attend. She said the processes been a positive experience and enjoys representing Flying Dust and Meadow Lake.

“It’s exciting,” she said. “I always like going to travel and meet other people who have the same interest in sports as me. I like to show that we have lots of sports athletes here and are open to all different sports in the games.”

Tyler Aubichon is the lone participant in archery from Flying Dust. The 15-year-old said he is proud to be active in the sport and take part in the games on behalf of his community.

“It’s a traditional sport from back in the days,” he said. “It’s fun shooting a bow and arrow. [The games are] like a First Nations gathering, it’s good to see friends you haven’t seen in a while. It’s fun competing against each other. I’m looking forward to having fun and bringing a medal home.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath