Members of Flying Dust First Nation run the lance to the stage for the opening ceremony of the 2019 Tony Cote Summer Games. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Nikita Ganovicheff

Let the Games Begin

Tony Cote Summer Games kick off in Flying Dust F.N.

Jul 15, 2019 | 11:50 AM

Thirteen First Nation bands from across the province gathered at the Flying Dust First Nations sports grounds yesterday to celebrate the opening of the 2019 Tony Cote Summer Games.

The ceremony was slated to begin at 6 p.m. but was pushed back to 7:30 p.m. due to thunderstorms and heavy rain. When the weather cleared, the celebration started with the Lance Run ending its over 500 km journey which began in Regina on July 8.

A prayer was said when the lance made it to the stage at the ceremony. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Christopher Ochuschayoo is competing in athletics at the Summer Games and said he felt empowered when he saw the lance arrive in Flying Dust.

“I felt the driving force and how we’re all here to unite because of it,” Ochuschayoo said.

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Ochuschayoo said he is excited for the games and wants to show his best in the competition.

“[These games] mean an opportunity for me to showcase my talents and show everyone what I can do and also bring a little piece of this home to my family to show them what I’m doing,” he said.

The opening ceremony continued with speeches by the MLTC Chief Richard Ben, Flying Dust Chief Jeremy Norman, Meadow Lake Acting Mayor Merlin Seymour, Games Co-ordinator Clay DeBray and a few others.

Georgina Jolibois joins the Big River First Nation as they march at the opening ceremony. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Tammy Cook-Searson joins her band during the introduction march. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Georgina Jolibois, Tammy Cook-Searson and Gary Vidal attended the opening ceremony. Jolibois and Cook-Searson joined their respective bands in the march introducing the different bands.

Tony Cote, the man who the games are named after, was also in attendance. Cote said he was proud of the work Flying Dust First Nation has done to organize the games and he always enjoys seeing the young people participate in sports and recreation.

“It’s always so nice to see [the athletes] practicing and then when they go to events such as this then you know whether they’ve done good or whether you’re a good coach or anything like that,” Cote said.

Tony Cote (standing in a green jacket) was in attendance for the opening ceremony of the Summer Games. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Cote has high hopes for the future of the Summer Games and wants to see the athletes make it to a global stage.

“The big thing was to try and get them involved nationally and as far as I know they can go even higher than that,” Cote said. “That’s always been my dream. We would like to see them even in the Olympics.”

The Tony Cote Summer Games run from July 14 to 19 with several competitions spread throughout Flying Dust and Meadow Lake. Flying Dust First Nations Chief Jeremy Norman said there will also be events like Voices of the North, a music showcase, after the competitions for everyone to enjoy.

“Health and wellness is a big part of these games,” Norman said. “It’s not just competition and athletics, we try and incorporate everything, the spiritual and physical.”

Cote said one reason the Games were created was to help steer youth away from trouble like drugs and alcohol. Chief Norman echoed this sentiment and hopes the young athletes will focus on the good things in life.

“What we hope for is that everybody has a good time and enjoy themselves,” Norman said. “The kids meet new friends and have a lot of fun and see the good stuff in life. And focus on the good stuff in life and not go into the drugs and alcohol or think that suicide is the only option. There are options out there for them.”

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nikita.ganovicheff@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @Nikitaganov