'Life-changing' experience at the World Indigenous Games, says Chief Cook-Searson

Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of Lac La Ronge Indian Band, says her experience at the first ever World Indigenous Games was "life-changing".

• PHOTOS:World Indigenous Games get underway in Brazil

The games, which just wrapped up in Brazil, included competitions such as tug of war, archery, and canoe races. The 100-metre race had competitors running barefoot in the sand. Cook-Searson said they also worked to make the games environmentally friendly.

"They made ten canoes for the races. Every tree that they cut down, they planted 20."

I've always been proud to be First Nations, but even prouder now after going to the games.- Chief Tammy Cook-Searson

Some of the sporting events were less competitive. Saskatchewan put a men's team together for soccer, which included some dancers and singers from the Saskatchewan group, and a man from Ethiopia.

The most important part to Cook-Searson was meeting indigenous people from around the world.

"I've always been proud to be First Nations, but even prouder now after going to the games," she said. "It just renews and rejuvenates ourselves as indigenous peoples of the world."