A look back at stories of the Indigenous Games - Action News
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A look back at stories of the Indigenous Games

Young urban explorers, an Oneida language-saver and swimmers who've triumphed over tragedy. We take a look back at CBC Toronto's coverage of the North American Indigenous Games, which wrapped up Saturday evening.

From embracing ancient tradition to fighting for issues of today: Here's a round-up of the week's highlights

5,000 athletes competed in Toronto this week, but if these stories are any evidence, the Games were about much more than winning medals. (Malone Mullin/CBC)

At venues across Toronto this week, young athletes at the North American Indigenous Games battled it out for medals, each bringing with them hopes, goals, and dreams.

CBC Toronto was able to tell some of those stories: tales of triumph over tragedy, determined treks from fly-in communities and young people who want to share their cultures with the wider world.

In case you missed it, here's a roundup of our local coverage.

Big-hearted locals give to Games

With just a month until the Games began, organizers were calling out for help: they wereshort hundreds of volunteers.

But volunteer lead KhristineCrooks Lines said locals came valiantlyto the rescue in time for the opening ceremony, helping to chaperone, time events and keep score throughout the week.

CBC Toronto spoke with volunteer Liza Parry for this story, a Mi'kmaqtriathlete proud toofferher time to the Games' young athletes.

The 2017 North American Indigenous Games needed 2,000 volunteers, and organizers say locals helped them hit the mark. (NAIG)

Young artists tapped to perform for thousands

The Games' opening ceremony turned out to be a big deal.

With 9,000 in attendance at Toronto's Aviva Centre and surprise appearances by A Tribe Called Red and rapper Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, all eyes were on stage.

And so were six young dancers none of whom hadever seen such a crowd.

It took practice and discipline to build the dance performance from scratch, as CBC Toronto learned for this story:

But for the dancers, it's not just about art. Two of theseperformers talked about role models and reconciliation:

This group of six performers, led by choreographer Santee Smith, opened the North American Indigenous Games last Sunday at Toronto's Aviva Centre. (Paul Borkwood/CBC)

Fighting ignorance...with fiddles

The MtisFiddler Quartet serenaded the opening ceremony crowd with traditional songs. By day, quartet vocalist Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuktakes his knowledge to Toronto schools, passing on his knowledge to budding creatives.

At aconcert at St. Bernard's Catholic School, students presented the Mtissongs they wrote themselves:

Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuk performed with the Mtis Fiddler Quartet for the North American Indigenous Games opening ceremony in Toronto on July 16. Music, he says, compels young people to learn and retain information sorely needed for reconciliation. (Malone Mullin/CBC)

Sport keeps cultures alive

Ben Fleguel, an Anishnaabeg archer, learned to shoot because he wanted to hunt the way his ancestors did.

Evan John, an Oneida track athlete and lacrosse player, wants to save the Oneidalanguage in his spare time -- and he has to become fluent, fast.

Ben Fleguel, from Curve Lake First Nation, learned to shoot so he could hunt traditionally. (Supplied by Ben Fleguel)

Welcome to Tkaronto

Indigenous custom welcomes guests into their territory by nodding to the land on which they live, work and play.

Experts explainthe tradition of territory acknowledgements:

Indigenous tradition welcomes visitors by recognizing the land hosting them. A "territory acknowledgement" is a sign of honour and respect that is spoken at community gatherings. (Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

Games beckon young adventurers

Lavonne Kakegamic, 11, and CherilynnMoose, 12, live in North Spirit Lake First Nation a remote community where they know everybody by name. They'd never seen a skyscraper or been to a mall.

But when they heard about the Games, thegregarious pairwere determined to make their way to the bleachers in the big city to cheer on Team Ontario.

CBC Toronto experienced the city with these intrepid explorers:

Lavonne, bottom right, Cherilynn, top right, and their teachers including chaperone Adrian Lawrence, left spent their first day in the big city last Wednesday. They cheered on Team Ontario at the North American Indigenous Games. (Adrian Lawrence)

Sisters champion Indigenous rights

Renee and Alicia Corbierestarted swimming after their father drowned in rough water.

Now they're champions both in and out of the pool.

Indigenous people drown at a rate ten times higher than the national average, and these athletes think training swim instructors for Indigenous communities is desperately needed:

Renee, left, and Alicia Corbiere are champion competitive swimmers an anomaly for First Nations youth. They want to see that change. (Malone Mullin/CBC)

For all the week's highlights of athletes across the country, visit cbc.ca/naig.