Windspeaker Sports Briefs - September 2013

Book seeking submissions

The Aboriginal Physical Activity and Cultural Circle (APACC) is seeking submissions for an e-book about running that it plans to publish. Aboriginal runners from across the country, regardless of their skill level, are encouraged to submit a story about their running.

The APACC is a national non-profit network for Aboriginals involved in sports, recreation, fitness and traditional activities. The organization believes runners are viewed as role models since they can inspire others to take up an active and healthy lifestyle.

APACC is looking for runners from both urban and rural communities who are willing to share their stories. Also, submissions from former runners and how they had an impact in their communities will be accepted. Suggested story lengths are between 500 and 2,000 words. If possible, a photo of the runner is also being sought.

Organizers have not set a deadline submission yet as they require numerous stories before they can proceed with the e-book. Proceeds from the e-book will go towards creating community grants.

Those who submit a story must sign consent and release forms agreeing to the use of the story in the e-book. More information is available by email at aboriginalpacc@gmail.com.

Kahnawake hosts again

The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) will be returning to Kahnawake for yet another year. The Mohawk community, located south of Montreal, also hosted this year’s NAHC in the spring.

And in July it was announced that the 2014 tournament will also be staged in Kahnawake. The event will begin on April 28 and continue until May 3. The NAHC has been held annually since 2002. The tournament, for the most part features bantam and midget-aged players (14-17). Both female and male squads take part in the event.

The 2013 tournament attracted 16 participating clubs, eight female and eight male. The host Quebec-team, called Eastern Door and the North, captured the gold medal in the female division this year. And the British Columbia squad took home the gold in the boys’ category.

Kahnawake had also previously hosted the NAHC in 2006. As was the case this year, besides having matches in Kahnawake, some of the 2014 NAHC contests will be staged in nearby Brossard.

B.C. teams dominate

British Columbia squads ended up winning three out of the four titles that were up for grabs at this year’s Canadian Native Fastball Championships. The national tournament, which was staged in Grande Prairie, Alta., concluded on Aug. 4.

The Westbank Cardinals, who are from Kelowna, B.C., took top honours in the men’s division. Meanwhile, a team representing the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation in B.C. ended up winning the men’s masters division, featuring players 40 and over.

And another squad based in B.C., The Four Directions, emerged victorious in the women’s masters category. The only division a British Columbia club did not win was the women’s grouping. This was won by the Red Nation Jets.

The Jets are traditionally comprised of players from across the country. This year’s club included players from six provinces; Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
A total of 60 teams participated at this year’s tournament. Almost half of those entrants—28—were in the men’s division. The women’s masters category had the least amount of entries, with just three competing clubs.

NAIG qualifier

This year’s Aboriginal provincial canoe and kayak championships in British Columbia will have added significance. That’s because the event will also serve as a qualifier for the 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), which will be staged in Regina.

The third annual provincial championship will be held Sept. 21 and 22 in Agassiz, B.C. The Seabird Island First Nation will host the event. Both canoes and kayaks will be provided for the participants at the event, which is sanctioned by CanoeKayak BC.
Those that fare well at the provincial meet could be nominated to B.C.’s development squad. And then from there, those on this squad will have the chance to be selected for the provincial team that will participate at the NAIG, scheduled for next July 20 to 27 in Regina.

In order to compete at the provincial meet, athletes must meet three requirements. They must be Aboriginal, residents of British Columbia and also born between 1995 and 2002.

The provincials will consist of canoe and kayak singles races only, in both female and male divisions. The age groupings are under-13, under-15 and under-18. There will be two distances for the canoe races, 1,000 metres and 3,000 metres. And for kayakers there will be races at three distances; 200 metres, 1,000 metres and 3,000 metres.