The 1990s launch of the first North American Indigenous Games has led to decades of hope that someday, Indigenous athletes would gather from around the world.
On Wednesday night, a fundraiser was held in Saskatoon for Saskatchewan representatives taking part in the upcoming World Indigenous Games later this month in Brazil.
The international sporting event is a dream come true for Lorna and Eugene Arcand, who helped organize the North American Indigenous Games in Prince Albert in 1993.
Eugene Arcand says Saskatchewan will send a few athletes to Brazil, but mostly Saskatchewan’s contribution will be with cultural and traditional entertainers.
“It’s almost impossible to compare because we talked about this in 1990 and in 1993 when we hosted the games,” says Arcand. “For us to be still alive and participate in the first ever World Indigenous Games, it’s heart warming.”
Winnipeg should have hosted the event three years ago but that fell through, says Arcand.
Some of the events scheduled for the games include war canoe races, tug o’ war, and running competitions.
Team Canada will be made up of athletes from Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta.