Zach George strains to cross the finish line during a 200m heat. Despite winning the heat, George had to re-run the race because of a mechanical timing issue.
By Mac Christie
Even though the results still have to be reviewed and finalized sport-by-sport, it looks like the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) has won the 2011 First Nation Summer Games.
With an unofficial total of 929.75 points, MLTC topped the standings, just ahead of the Agency Chiefs Tribal Council, the last winner, with 927.50 points.
The results are expected to be official at the next Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations board meeting in early September, said MLTC’s youth development co-ordinator Terrance Sylvestre.
“I’m very pleased with the result,” he said. “Our goal was to come in and win it, or at least finish in the top two.”
The Aug. 6-11 games were based in Thunderchild First Nation by Turtleford, but events also took place in St. Walburg and North Battleford.
Sylvestre said having the events so far from the main base made for some interesting travel schedules.
“I think in future games we’ll have to seriously look at having them within a closer proximity to the main site,” he noted.
If the results stay as they are, MLTC will also win the Tony Cote Award, given to the most improved tribal council. MLTC finished fourth at the 2009 games with a total of 655.70 points.
One of the main reasons for this turnaround was the stellar performance of the athletics team, who won the overall championship in athletics, said Sylvestre.
However, he noted MLTC will have to do more work on their softball and soccer teams for future games.
But he said overall, as long as the team competed hard, he was pleased.
“I’m happy no matter where we finished, because they played hard and enjoyed themselves,” he said. “That’s what it’s about. To compete and to make friendships with other First Nations youth around the province.”
