Leaving a Legacy: NAIG one year later
- Tiffany Head | May 18, 2015
A year has gone by since the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), and to mark the anniversary, the NAIG 2014 council of Regina-Saskatchewan unveiled a permanent art display encased in a glass box. It's in the student’s common room at the First Nations University of Canada.
“It’s really important to leave a legacy, to remember the kind of contribution NAIG gave to this community and also as a constant reminder the pursuit of excellence. And this is one of the best, perfect places to put a display that will remind the young people that are walking in these halls in this place of education and learning the pursuit of excellence,” said Ron Crowe, CEO for the 2014 NAIG.
The celebration started off with a grand entry. Pow wow singers from the Kawacatoose drum group sung a few opening songs. As the Grand Entry came to a close, pow wow dancers, Conrad Medicine Rope and daughter Tiana Medicine Rope, performed a dance to the victory song.
There were addresses by FSIN Vice-Chief Dutch Lerat; Government of Saskatchewan MLA Russ Marchuk; City of Regina Councillor Bob Hawkins; representative of the Métis Nation Louis Gardiner; Vice President of Administration at the University of Regina Dave Button; and First Nations University of Canada Associate V.P. Dr. Bob Kayseas.
Gardiner says the MNS was were happy to be a part of something special.
“I want to say a big thank you to all the funders that we had. They played a big role and I think it’s important that they continue that and to all the sponsors, very important that we acknowledge them,” said Gardiner.
Crowe gave a NAIG power point presentation. He mentioned that the Cultural Village is what set NAIG apart from all the other games. It showed the traditions of First Nations people across Canada and formed a connection with each nation.
FNUniv was the host venue for the Kirby Littletent Memorial Cultural Village and it makes sense that the legacy being left is inside the university for every person to see.
Crowe described what is in the display and what is shown.
“The centre piece of the display is a traditional blanket that we commissioned a couple of years ago with our logo. What we have attached to it is the eagle staff that is a part of our traditions, as well as the lance that travelled through Saskatchewan during the lance runs leading up to the games,” he said.
See more photos in our Photo Gallery.
“We are paying homage to our traditions, to the Elders and the ancestors of these lands and culture here in the Plains. What we also included was the oar, a traditional oar that was passed on to us from the Cowichan tribe; they hosted the Games back in 2008.”
Crowe revealed that they are hoping to create a scholarship from NAIG to a deserving student pursuing higher education in university.
“Our Board will be determining how to spend those surplus funds from that legacy, and we're hoping to look at some proposals around scholarships and bursaries in support for individuals going into athletics and academics,” said Crowe.
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- Games brought wealth, confidence to area & athletes
- Athletes of the 2014 North American Indigenous Games
- PHOTOS: NAIG: the legacy one year later
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