By Bryan Eneas

Beardy’s and Okemasis celebrates Sports Days

Sep 11, 2017 | 11:12 AM

Grassfire had destroyed the sports grounds on the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation roughly two years ago, with it extinguishing the hopes of future events.

But through the support of the band’s membership, a dedicated councillor and a committee, and sponsorship dollars, the community made Sports Days celebrations a reality this year.

“We patched fence, we got the rails from near Weyakwin,” Tyrone Smallchild, the councillor in charge of sports and recreation for the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation said. “We were given a deal and we jumped on that deal.”

Smallchild said the band was able to find grants and along with donations from A&M Septic Services and R&D Lumber, they were able to rebuild the sports grounds.

The celebrations this year were the culmination of hardwork and hope for Smallchild. 

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“It was part of my dream to make a Sports Day and be the head of it… I’m happy, I feel like it’s a success,” Smallchild said. “A lot of the feedback I’m getting from the membership and from our visitors… is good, they like the track.”

Chariot and chuckwagon races took centre stage during the evening, drawing crowds of young and old alike. Smoke from wildfires in northern Saskatchewan had drifted in, but Smallchild said it wasn’t enough to impact the races.

The horses in particular were of interest to to the councillor who recently attended a horsemanship seminar the Cree Nation organized for youth in the community. He said the teachings were designed to build confidence and develop equine skills. The councillor said he tried to approach the seminar from the youth’s perspective.

“I wanted to be like a big brother, learning those skills and sportsmanship around the horses,” Smallchild said.

Foot races were also hosted, as well as slo-pitch, volleyball and soccer tournaments. Smallchild said he has big plans for next year’s event – something more grand and elaborate than the Cree Nation may have ever seen before.

“Next year we want to include the treaty day celebrations… the powwow and the FSIN [WHAT] championships, we want to coincide that with our sports day, where it’s a big Treaty Day celebration,” Smallchild said. “Indian Days we’ll call it, a week long of celebrations.”

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas