FREDERICTON (GNB) – Team New Brunswick brought home 16 medals from the 2017 North American Indigenous Games held in Toronto in July.

“I congratulate the medal winners and all the amazing athletes who competed at this important international event,” said Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty, who is also minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. “The North American Indigenous Games brings thousands together to celebrate indigenous culture and compete in a variety of traditional and non-traditional sports. Our province is certainly proud of the tremendous effort of our First Nations team.”

The North American Indigenous Games for youth ages 13-19 is the largest sporting and cultural gathering of its kind with more than 5,200 participants, 2,000 volunteers and many spectators and dignitaries.

Participating teams included from all 13 provinces and territories of Canada as well as nine regions of the United States. Competitions took place in 3D archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, canoe/kayak, golf, lacrosse, rifle shooting, soccer, softball, swimming, wrestling and volleyball.

Team New Brunswick competed in six events: 3D archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, volleyball and wrestling. The team was made up of 115 members including 85 athletes, managers and coaches. Results are as follows:

  • 3D Archery – female: Monique Francis-Savoie – silver
  • Badminton Doubles – female: Amber Solomon/Lindsay-Anne Tenass – silver
  • Badminton Singles – male: Mathew Dedam – silver
  • Wrestling – female: Jada Levi-Ward – gold; Brooke Sacobie – silver; Jannah Levi-Ward – bronze
  • Wrestling – male: Seth Peter Paul – silver
  • Athletics (Track and Field) – female: Madison Wilson – one gold, one silver
  • Athletics (Track and Field) – male: Brandon Robichaud, gold; Jacob Tenass, one silver, one bronze; Keith Dennis, one silver, one bronze; Jacob Labillois, bronze

Team New Brunswick also won bronze in the female relay event. The team was comprised of Emily McCafferty, Sylvie Bartlett, Madison Wilson and Karissa Price.

The North American Indigenous Games Council is a non-profit organization aimed at improving quality of life for indigenous peoples and representing indigenous distinctiveness.

The province provided $143,521 in total funding toward New Brunswick’s participation at the games. This support for Aboriginal athlete development recognizes the calls to action as set out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (recommendation #88).

 

04-08-17