The MNO | History & Culture | Voyageur Games | North American Indigenous Games

I have been involved in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) since 1993. Wow, what can I tell you other than it has been an integral part of my life. I trained for Track and Field in high school and thought it would be fun to try out. It turns out that I did better than I originally thought. I took part in the 1995 games in Minneapolis, Minnesota and in the 1997 games in Victoria, BC. I also plan on participating in the 2002 games in Winnipeg, MB.

Every year, I made new friends that I still keep in contact with today. I remember the first time I competed in Prince Albert in 1993; the girls in Senior Women's Shot put were twice my size and very intimidating. One thing my coach taught me was that size didn't matter, it was the training that would win you the medal. He was right, most of the bigger girls did not have the training that I did and I placed an easy second. That year, I received two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal. Since 1993, I have accumulated 12 medals in athletics with the Indigenous Games. Currently, most memorabilia will be found in the First Peoples Hall in the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Every year the NAIG grew bigger and better. New components were added which brought in new athletes. It was exciting to see if last years competitors were going to be there again and which new intimidating athletes were competing against you. It made me feel proud to see that North America's top Aboriginal athletes were coming together to compete in a sport they were passionate about and trained hard for.

I do have to thank my family and friends who have supported me throughout my entire sports career. They believed in me and encouraged me to be successful. When most of my friends were out having fun at parties, I was at tournaments or practices. Sometimes I felt that I missed out on something, that I should be with my friends instead of wasting my time in the gym. I soon realized that it was my friends who had missed out, not me. Sports led me to places I never would have dreamed about going and the opportunity to meet some pretty cool people. If it wasn't for my friends and family telling me how proud they were of me, I don't think that I would be where I am today. Sports played a very important role in my life; it taught me to be a team player; leadership; setting and accomplishing goals; and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

I was even told by a few people that I was their role model and that they wanted to be just like me. But one thing that people have to remember about role models is that they are human beings too. They didn't get where they are just by having it handed to them on a silver platter; Michael Jordan wasn't born with a basketball in his hand and Tiger Woods wasn't born with a golf club. If someone were to work hard, keep focused, and find solutions for any barriers that may come along, then that someone can achieve their dreams. Dreams then become reality.

I encourage everybody to try out for their respective province for the NAIG. You never know where the North American Indigenous Games will lead you next.