The Tony Cote First Nation Summer games are back.
With the Saskatchewan Health Authority lifting many restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic it was officially announced this week that the games will be returning for the first time since the pandemic began.
The return of the week-long sporting event will be hosted by the James Smith Cree Nation on July 24-30 with most of the events happening in Saskatoon and Whitecap Dakota First Nation.
Normally the games would happen on James Smith Cree Nation, but organizers say logistical issues brought the games to the Saskatoon area.
This is the first time Jame Smith Cree Nation has hosted the games in the event’s nearly five-decade-long history.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart and humbly say I welcome you,” Chief Wally Burns said at an announcement event on Wednesday at Dakota Dunes Conference Centre.
Over 4,000 athletes are anticipated to take part in the games in seven events: archery, athletics, beach volleyball, canoe/kayak, golf, softball, and soccer.
The week leading up to the 2022 games will also feature a 7-day lance run from Flying Dust First Nation and James Smith Cree Nation to the opening ceremony and the sacred fire at the Ceremonial Tipi.
With this being the first games since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic event organizer Eugene Arcand is calling it a big opportunity.
“What we want to do with the 2022 games is to take advantage of the pandemic and reintroduce a new standard, not only in the facilities that our young people compete in but into their whole experience to be a life-changing event,” said Arcand.
Many of the Chiefs and dignitaries at the announcement event spoke about their own personal experiences at the Tony Cote games when they were young. All of them in some way noted the positive impact the games had on their youth.
Arcand said the theme for this year’s games will be “Every Child Matters.”
“It really is important that we take those words seriously…it’s not just a saying,” he said.
The Tony Cote Winter/Summer Games formerly known as the Saskatchewan First Nation Winter/Summer Games was initiated in 1974 by Chief Tony Cote of Cote First Nation.
(PHOTO: James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns. Photo by Joel Willick)