Western Canadian Indigenous Games officials meet

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A western regional meeting of five chef-de-missions for this summer's Western Canadian Indigenous Games at Hobbema, on Feb. 19, was held at the Indigenous Sports Council of Alberta offices at Enoch First Nation.

Manitoba was represented by Maurice Sutherland, Alberta by Ted Hodgson, British Columbia by Dano Thorne, the Northwest Territories by Roy Desjarlais and the Yukon by Carl Carpenter.

Saskatchewan did not send a delegate because it does not plan to participate. This is mainly due to hosting its own summer games around the same time.

The financial strain would be just too great to have their athletes attend both the games in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Saskatchewan only has until March 31 to register a team if it reconsiders.

Hodgson expressed concern that Hobbema had not extended any role to the sports council who had asked to do the registrations, accreditation and handling of souvenirs and garments.

Hodgson argued that it would only be right for organizers to give something to the council in light of the advance planning and work it had done to develop the western games.

However, when Bruce Littlechild stated that organizers would then want the council to share potential liability, council chairman Charles Weaslehead said they would not want to put themselves in any position that might jeopardize them from a legal standpoint.

Local RCMP officer Ray Arcand, informed delegates that the RCMP may provide 10 to 15 student constables age 19 to 27 to assist with security. He added the Samson Band has about 130 security staff people that could be approached to help out.

Colleen Buffalo from Samson Band recreation reported that there are 70 insured school buses that could be put into use, the four bands can take turns hosting one supper each day,and registrations could be conducted at the Bingo Hall on June 27.

There are at least eight baseball diamonds for use and an alternate archery location, if required, could be the Pipestone Creek Club, said Buffalo.

They are lobbying for the schools and Howard Buffalo Memorial Centre for accommodations and will rent additional portable showers and toilets.

June 15 is the deadline for the names of all participating athletes.

It was further suggested that the North American Indigenous Games code of conduct be put into effect for registering everyone attending the games no matter where they happen to come from.

After some deliberation, it was agreed that the games be called the Western Canadian Indigenous Games and that a logo be developed specifically for the games.