Athletes heading to BC for NAIG

Off to the North American Indigenous Games!

 

Several teams from Akwesasne are western bound this weekend to represent the Mohawk Nation at the North American Indigenous Games. Dozens of athletes will depart Akwesasne on Friday for the games, being hosted this year by Cowichan, British Columbia, from August 3 - 10.Local athletes are part of Team Eastern Door, which also includes Kahnawake participants.

Teams ranging in sports from wrestling to volleyball have been fundraising and training for several months. The Games are held every two years.

The athletes attending ranging age from early teens to adults.

Wendy Adams and Kahnastatsi Jacobs are two of the adults helping to organize the local athletes and prepare them for their trip.

On Sunday afternoon, the athletes were invited to a special ceremony in their honor. Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Tim Thompson spoke to the athletes and gave them words of encouragement. They were reminded that they are representing Akwesasne. Athletes who attended previous games also spoke to the athletes about past experiences and former NAIG competitors from this area.

All athletes received yellow and black warm-up suits which they proudly wore as they filled the Kana:takon School gymnasium, where their reception was held.

Indian Time will be following the athletes’ progress closely from home, and will hopefully have updates to print next week.

Team Eastern Door & the North U16 Girls Soccer

The U16 girls soccer team will be traveling to Cowichan, British Columbia to play in the North American Indigenous Games.  The team is made up of players from Kahnawake and Akwesasne representing Team Eastern Door & the North.  They’ve worked very hard preparing for this event since December holding weekly practices, fund raising, and holding exhibition games with some of the Cornwall teams.  Each girl also plays on other league teams to keep in practice and stay in shape.

Team Eastern Door & the North U16 soccer would like to thank their sponsors.  A lot of funding was needed to get each athlete competing in The Games to Cowichan.  These sponsors include but are not limited to Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Akwesasne Petroleum Co-op, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, Ontario Power Generation for providing the track suits, the Quebec government for providing a travel subsidy for each athlete, and Big Boy’s Enterprise who generously provided the jerseys for the soccer team.  We would also like to thank the community for supporting the fundraisers that helped get us to Cowichan.  We hope to do well and bring home the gold.  Niawen.

Also, thanks to Nicole, Faron and Coreen for volunteering your time and dedication.  The players appreciate all you’ve given to making this team successful.  See you in BC!

Womens Volleyball

Eastern Door and the North Bantam Girl’s Basketball Team

Good Luck to the Eastern Door and the North Bantam Girl’s Basketball Team headed out to Cowichan, B. C. this weekend for the Indigenous Games! We are very proud of you and all the work you have done to get there! Remember to smile and be proud of who you are and what you have already accomplished.

Lots of love from all the Moms, Dads, Totas, Grandmas, Grandpas, Brothers, Sisters, Aunties and Uncles! Go get em!

Front Row: Coach Jocelyn Kelly, Marlee King, Abby Kelly, Taylor Francis, Anna Kelly and Kwiio King.

2nd Row: Coach Bruce Kelly, Aliyaha Cook, Sydney Thompson, Karyss Terrance, Kelli Cook, Zaagaate Jock, Team Manager Joy Jock and Team Trainer Karen Francis.

 

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