Grand Chief Harvey Yesno of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation officially opened the NAN Youth Games 2015 by welcoming athletes from nine First Nations -Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Moose Cree, Mattagami, Aroland, Ginoogaming, Sandy Lake and North Spirit Lake.
Also attending the opening ceremony were elder Morris Naveau, representing the Mattagami First Nation on whose traditional territory the games are taking place; Mayor Steven Black representing the City of Timmins; Fred Gibbons, president of Northern College which last month signed a charter for aboriginal education; and NAN Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic whose office helped to coordinate the games and Gloria Hendrick-Laliberte who is the primary coordinator for the Timmins NAN games 2015.
In his opening remarks, Grand Chief Yesno urged the young athletes to set goals for themselves in athletics and also in life.
He recalled the importance of athletics to his own education about First Nation culture and told of his days on his high school wrestling team that gave him the chance to visit many other First Nations across Canada and the United States.
“Education has been very important to my life, despite my experience at two residential schools,” he told the athletes. “It has given me the opportunity be a business man and a pilot.”
He encouraged those who are not in school or dropped out to return to school and complete their education.
“I have two people in my family who dropped out of school,” he explained. “But they returned to school and now have good jobs."
Obstacles will always be present, but Grand Chief Yesno said the key to overcoming them is to set goals that propel you forward in spite of momentary setbacks.
Grand Chief Yesno said he is encouraging all First Nations to set goals for their young athletes.
“If you love hockey our goal is to play in the NHL,” he said. “If you love baseball it is to play in the major leagues.”
“We cannot despise the days of small beginnings,” added the Grand Chief. “Whatever you achieve here at the first Timmins NAN games needs to be recorded so one day looking back your children will say hey I want to participate in the NAN too.”
Another goal set by Grand Chief Yesno is to develop a NAN team to compete in the North American Indigenous Games.
Mayor Steve Black welcomed the athletes to Timmins and told the youth that age is not a barrier.
He said he is prove of that when he became the youngest mayor in Timmins history at age 32.
The statement got a rousing round of applause from the athletes.
“Don’t let anyone tell you age holds you back,” Black said. “You can accomplish want you want and the only barriers are the barriers you put on yourself.”
“It’s no small event when you look at the map and see the distances you have come, to participate in these games in Timmins,” he added. “Enjoy yourselves in our community.”
Mayor Black said that partnerships with First Nations is important for the mutual benefit of each other.
“It’s a partnership that benefits the both of us,” he said. We are the large urban centre nearest too many First Nations and together we have a stronger voice.”
After a ribbon cutting ceremony with Grand Chief Yesno, Deputy Grand Chief Kakegamic, Mayor Black and elder Morris Naveau the athletes moved to
Timmins Kayak Adventures on the shores of the Mattagami River for kayaking instructions and preparations for the kayak competitions.
Later in the day the competition moved to Northern College for three on three basketball.
On Saturday July 11, the track and field competitions was held at the Timmins Sportsplex.
(PHOTO: Ribbon cutting ceremony. From left to right: Timmins Mayor Steve Black, Grand Chief Harvey Yesno and elder Morris Naveau from the host Mattagami First Nation. Frank Giorno/TimminsToday)
