Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Akwesasne’s 2010 senior games took off last week on May 10, 12 and13 at the St. Regis Mohawk Senior Center in Hogansburg with events hosted at the Tri-District Elders in Kawehnoke (Cornwall Island). The games were created as part of a health and fitness initiative at the center to encourage seniors to stay fit and active.

The event originated in 1999 by the Senior Health and Fitness Committee as a Senior Health and Fitness day. The event was such a huge success that in 2005 the committee decided to make it a weeklong event promoting healthy activities each day. Thus, the Seniors Games were born, and it has been growing bigger and better ever since.

The weeklong event featured exciting activities such as line dancing with Sue Robideau, Nintendo Wii tournament, Bingo, beach volleyball, swimming at the Cornwall Aquatic Center, horseshoes, a bean bag toss and seed spitting and karaoke contests. Guest speakers Rose Bennet, Dr. Bruyere, Mary Grow and Loralee La France were invited to give presentations promoting healthy lifestyles. The variety of activities kept the senior busy and everyone had a good time.

“The best part about the senior games is the camaraderie,” said Tina Tarbell, activities coordinator for the senior center. “They get to act like kids again.”

Well over a hundred seniors came to the center and participated in the daily activities. At 9am each morning they enjoyed a coffee social before the games began and also enjoyed a free lunch at 12pm prepared at the center for all participants. The first day experienced a record number of seniors who turned out for lunch and stayed to take part in the afternoon activities.

The games had many winners for various games and contest. One lucky winner, Julianne Barnes, won the grand prize of a 42” TV, comfy recliner, soft quilt and rustic floor lamp.

Photos by Tina Tarbell