FSIN Vice Chief Craig McCallum carries the lance over the Diefenbaker bridge with members of his team following behind. (Photo Credit: Nick Nielsen/paNOW)

By Nick Nielsen

Runners Halfway to Summer Games

JSCN youth carry ceremonial lance through Prince Albert

Aug 6, 2024 | 6:21 PM

With just over three days left to go before the start of the Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games in La Ronge, the ceremonial carrying of the scout’s lance made its way through Prince Albert on Tuesday. About 17 runners from the James Smith Cree Nation loaded up vans in Saskatoon and took turns running the lance to its final destination in the North.

Craig McCallum, Vice Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), joined the run this year and is proud to see the youth involved showing their resilience in carrying the lance.

“It’s very spiritual what we’re doing here, it’s very important, and to see them embrace that and see them rise to the occasion and run through rain, wake up early and deal with conditions, we had wind in our face all day today, it wasn’t an easy run but nobody’s complaining. All of them are ready and eager to pick up that lance and keep going because they know how important what we’re doing is,” he said.

The carrying of the lance represents a First Nations tradition where scouts would travel ahead towards their tribe’s next destination to ensure safe passage. During their leg of the run, the carrier of the lance is encouraged to pray for their friends and family.

“While I’m running, I’m praying for safe travels for everybody. I pray that it’ll be fun and everyone stays safe,” said Aiden Sanderson, who is carrying the lance for his third straight year.

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Runners would wait in their van and wave to their supporters on the highway before their turn with the lance would come. (Photo Credit: Nick Nielsen/paNOW)

Sanderson competed in the previous Summer Games for soccer. Along with five of his family members, Sanderson said that despite being a tough run to get through, “…it feels really special to be chosen as a Lance runner. I feel honored to run the lance and excited to bring it into the opening ceremony.”

Along their path into Prince Albert, every passerby had their horns honking at the group and folks were lined up along the road to see them through the city as well. McCallum said that support during their run has been very apparent since they began just a few days ago, and he’s hoping people will continue to cheer them to not only support the runners but all the other volunteers involved.

“James Smith, they’ve really stepped up, Chief and council, but also Chief and council and leadership from La Ronge. They’ve sent runners and volunteers and people to support us, and so I just want to acknowledge and really thank them for their support, but also to everyone, that is honking and showing up for our young people. When we’re on that road, it picks them up. It really does lift your energy and keep you going when you know that there’s people out there supporting you and cheering you on.”

All runners and volunteers gathered for a photo as they finish their leg of the run through Prince Albert just north of the Diefenbaker Bridge. (Photo Credit: Nick Nielsen/paNOW)

The Wednesday leg of the lance run will see the James Smith Cree Nation runners make their way up Highway 2 to Waskesiu. The Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games start in La Ronge on August 10 with athletes competing in seven different sports, including athletics, archery, beach volleyball, canoe and kayak, golf, soccer, and softball.

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nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW