File Hills Qu'Appelle to host 2017 First Nations Summer Games
- EFN Staff | January 03, 2017
The File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC) will be hosting the Saskatchewan First Nations Summer Games in Regina next summer. Although they hosted the Saskatchewan First Nation Winter Games a few years back, but this will be the first time the summer games will be held in Regina.
FHQTC Vice-Chief and Chairperson of the 2017 Saskatchewan First Nations Summer Games says different tribal councils, in the province, puts in a bid to host the games, and the FHQTC were the lucky bidders selected for the upcoming summer games. FHQTC Vice-Chief Elaine Chicoose said the tribal council decided to host the games in the City of Regina.
“We’re expecting [close to] 3,500 youth athletes playing in nine different summer sporting events. All sporting venues have been booked already,” says Chief Chicoose. “They will have different activities going on in the evenings [such as] a dance for the youth, and a fashion show at the First Nations University of Canada Cultural Village. We have an agreement with the Conexus Art Centre that’s where some of the activities will take place.”
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The FHQTC needs a big budget to make the games happen. They have guaranteed funding from Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Sports Council, and the City of Regina who will be donating $100,000—in addition to opening the city to many Indigenous youth from across the province.
“We’re very pleased to be a sponsor and to provide some financial support to make the games happen. We have always been a partner of Indigenous initiatives and we wanted to participate in this one,” says City of Regina Mayor Michael Fougere. “We have a large Indigenous population who wants to celebrate culture and sport activities. For us, we’re very pleased to do that. We think it’s a wonderful opportunity to display their culture and their . We’re opening up our hearts, our minds, and our facilities to make this happen.”
The City of Regina wants to honour the Indigenous people of the province and to ensure their pride when the athletes showcase their culture and sporting activities.
The First Nations Summer Games are looked at as being beneficial for the youth in the province as it gives them something to look forward to.
“A lot of our youth are very athletic and it’s a place where they come together and showcase their talent, make new friends. It’s a good way of networking. IT’s all for the kids to help them,” says Chief Chicoose.
The Saskatchewan First Nation Summer Games will be held in August 6th -12th, 2017.