NAIG 2014 Profiles: Wacey Strongeagle
- Creeson Agecoutay | May 23, 2014
With the 2014 North American Indigenous Games in Regina two months away, Indigenous youth from across North America are training hard to compete in the sports that they love. If there is one thing to say about these athletes, they are very hard working young leaders of tomorrow. Not only are they involved in sports and their education but many of them are working part-time jobs. Here are just a handful of athletes that I had the privilege to talk to.
WACEY STRONGEAGLE
AGE: 17
RESERVE: PASQUA FIRST NATION
SPORT: BASEBALL
Growing up with his grandparents and parents on the Pasqua First Nation, 17-year-old Wacey Strongeagle has been playing baseball since he was young.
"All my cousins and uncles played baseball and I just followed through."
Self-taught, Wacey says he wants to continue to push himself further in the sport as his team recently played at the 2013 First Nation Summer Games on the Muskoday First Nation. He will now be a leading pitcher, representing Team Saskatchewan for baseball in this year's 2014 NAIG in Regina. Training all winter at the Chief Paskwa Education Centre gymnasium with his cousin Rylee Cyr, Wacey says he wants to take home gold for his team.
"Felt proud about myself and happy to make my parents proud and my grandparents proud. It's a pretty big thing to make (Team Saskatchewan)."
Wacey says he will graduate next year from Bert Fox Community High School with hopes of becoming an RCMP officer in the near future. He believes there should be more First Nation RCMP officers.
His message to the youth is:
"Just live a positive lifestyle. Stay off drugs and alcohol and go to school. Keep on training in sports and just keep pushing yourself."
Be sure to check out more NAIG athlete profiles on our Interviews or Sports page.