Athletes from the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) did their community proud last week, returning from Colorado with 16 medals.
The soccer players, ranging in age from 13 to 18, were part of the Team B.C. contingent that were in Denver and Colorado Springs for the 2006 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).
Three hundred and eighty athletes made up Team B.C., with 169 of those athletes winning medals. Team B.C. brought home 100 medals (52 gold) competing in athletics, badminton, canoeing, lacrosse, softball, swimming, tae kwon do, wrestling and soccer.
It was on the soccer pitch that the SIB athletes shone, with five of the six soccer teams winning gold and the sixth team bringing home silver.
Amber Dixon won gold with the midget girls. James Yelton won gold with the midget boys. The bantam boys won gold led by Gavin Joe, Irvin Louis, Grant Mayers, Isaac Joe, Kelsey Dixon and Ben Pierre. The bantam girls won gold led by captain Selena Timothy-Joe, Stephanie Joe, Lena Joe and Kirsten Joe. Kari Dixon won gold with the juvenile girls. Silver medals went to Jake Dixon, Jody Jefferies and Marcus Wyse and the juvenile boys' team.
Ben Pierre, whose son came home with one of the many gold medals, said the trip was an experience of a lifetime."The hard work that everyone went through practicing, fundraising really paid off. The results speak for themselves," he said. "To have five of the six teams win gold for B.C. is awesome. We continued the tradition of soccer dominance."
The opening ceremonies were held at Invesco Field at Mile High, a 76,000-plus stadium in Denver and home to the National Football League's Denver Broncos.
Pierre said it was quite the experience seeing all the athletes march into the stadium.
"The stadium was only about half full, but it felt like it was sold out," he said.
"To see 8,000 athletes march in with all their uniforms, flags, all of the different nations and regalia was electrifying. I was really a proud parent, as all the parents were to see our kids walking with the other athletes."
The NAIG is a celebration of sport and culture for North American Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island (North America). In previous years, Team B.C. has made their athletes' selections based on one qualification event. This year, several talent evaluation camps were held, allowing for the broader talent base and showcasing athletes who worked very hard to make the team.
For the past year, the SIB athletes, parents, band and council have been actively fundraising to get the needed funds to travel to Colorado.
Pierre said they all wanted to thank business, corporate sponsors, chief and council and everyone who helped the athletes achieve their goals.
The next NAIG is set for 2008 in Cowichan. Already the local athletes are starting to get prepared.
"They'll have ID camps again, but I'm pretty confident you'll see more of these kids competing," he said.
