North American Indigenous Games nurtures generations of Sask. athletes
The 10th edition of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) are less than a week away, with athletes representing 756 First Nations across the continent set to gather in Nova Scotia in the spirit of competition.
More than 500 athletes from Team Saskatchewan are doing the final touches before they depart. And, for one Team Saskatchewan athlete, the spirit of the games runs in the family.
Mike Tanton was a spectator at the very first NAIG competition in Edmonton in 1990.
“Probably just because of my age, I thought it was bigger than it really was,” said Tanton. “But the atmosphere and the energy that comes from that, it was actually larger than life.”
Tanton went on to compete at the games, then became a basketball coach. Now he’s the Chef de Mission for Team Saskatchewan.
He says competing against athletes from across North America was a highlight of the games.
“You play against a lot of people from provinces that are fairly close, one or two provinces over,” he said. “So when we had that opportunity to play against teams from a lot further away, it was always like, fresh meat. Let’s get this game on. That’s part of the competitive spirit, and also the exciting thing about meeting new people. There’s people that I’ve met as part of the games that I’m still friends with today.”
Now, the competitive spirit flows in his daughter, who’s competing for the very first time.
“It’s exciting,” said Willow Tanton, a member of the U19 female basketball team. “I haven’t really travelled to the east coast, so I’m excited to head out there and compete for my province, and channel my Indigenous pride.”
The 2020 games were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning it’s been six years since the last competition.
Since she won’t be able to compete at the next games, Willow is an underage on the U19 team.
“I’m actually young for it,” she said. “I’m only 17, but it’s all 19 and under for my age group.”
Tanton says he always treats his athletes like family. But to see his daughter enjoy the same positive influences he did — in the same sport that he played — is truly special.
“Being able to see her at the games and knowing how it influenced me in such a positive way, I’m just excited that she’s going to experience that,” Tanton told CTV News. “As a parent, you always want your kids to experience great things and continue on their journey. You want to support them in that, and that’s something that I get to do.”
The U19 female basketball team opens competition against Team New Brunswick on Monday July 17.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'No sign of life' at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's president
Rescuers on Monday found a helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran the day before.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.