By Alex Soloducha

Indigenous Games Lance Run starts off in P.A.

Jul 1, 2014 | 12:24 PM

paNOW staff 

The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) were kicked off today with a Lance Run in Prince Albert.

The 2014 NAIG will be hosted in Regina July 20-27. First Nation people (ages 13-19) from both Canada and the United States will compete.

Ron Crowe, CEO of the North American Indigenous Games host society, said they chose Prince Albert as the city to begin the Lance Run, because the games were held here in 1993.

“The feeling was that out of respect for the previous games that we begin the Lance Run right here in Prince Albert and we’re excited to be here and to share with the rest of the Saskatchewan community these exciting Indigenous Games that are coming,” he said.

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According to Crowe, the Lance is a big part of their culture.

“Lance has led the way for a lot of our journeys and we carry on that. It’s more that just symbolism, it’s part of our tradition,” he said.

In order for runners to be selected, eligible applicants had to first be nominated.

“All of our runners are from clean healthy lifestyles, they do good in school and they contribute back to the community… that’s the kind of criteria that we were asking for those going to participate in the run. We’re quite pleased that we’ve had so much interest in the Lance Run,” said Crowe.

“Parents have stepped up, communities have stepped up and they will be embracing all of our runners as they go through the indigenous communities throughout Saskatchewan.”

Crowe said they’ll be group runs and single runs, but runners will cover the total mileage of the run between the communities. Other people are also able to participate.
“We expect young people from the various communities to join in the run throughout those communities and we encourage that and look forward to seeing some of those pictures,” said Crowe.

As the opening ceremonies to NAIG draws nearer, Crowe said everyone is anxious for them to begin.

“There’s tremendous euphoria as we approach the games…it’s going to be an exciting time and I’m really looking forward to the games getting underway,” he said.

The opening ceremony will be held July 20 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Just under 5,000 people in the city during the course of the games.

Jesse Starr from North Battleford and Little Pine First Nation was nominated to run the Lance Run by her mother’s friend.

“Because I play a lot of sports they thought I was suited to the Lance Run,” she said.

She said getting the opportunity was very important.

“Just being able to represent many aboriginal people in Saskatchewan means a lot to me,” said Starr.

She’ll also be competing in Regina as part of the Team Saskatchewan soccer team.

asoloducha@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha