‘It gives them a purpose’: Young First Nation athletes to compete in Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games
Posted March 24, 2025 4:57 pm.
Last Updated March 24, 2025 9:01 pm.
It’s been 14 years since the last Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games, but this year it’s back in full force.
“It feels really exciting for the community,” said Sagkeeng First Nation Chief E.J. Fontaine. “Everybody’s talking about the games, wanting to get involved.
“Some people are starting to get their teams in order, we’re getting our facilities ready.”
From July 9-13, First Nations athletes will be descending on Norway House Cree Nation for sports such as soccer, volleyball, badminton and canoe. Athletes in other sports like athletics, ball hockey or golf will compete in Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation from Aug. 17-23.
“We didn’t have those games when we were younger but we played mostly in the rural leagues,” said Chief Fontaine. “The odd time we’d go to a tournament, but we didn’t have these types of opportunities when we were kids.”
Chief Fontaine says restarting the summer games brings a new hope for his families.
“When they’re engaged in sports and teamwork, it gives them a purpose in life,” he said.
“We hear so much negativity about our communities and it’s nice to be able to provide a good story for them to look forward to. Give them some hope and opportunity.”
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is investing $1 million to sponsor Manitoba athletes to participate in the competition. The SCO is encouraging holistic healthy living based on traditional Anishinaabe and Dakota teachings.
“Our goal is to bring health equity to the First Nations we represent,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels.
“The Anishinaabe and Dakota teachings are powerful. They kept us here for a millennia.”
Daniels says the plan is based on seven themes: that food, water, movement, community, land, culture and knowledge are medicine.
