The Nisga’a Nation has a strong contingent of young athletes who have qualified and will be competing in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) that takes place in Regina, Saskatchewan from July 20-27, 2014.  We thank all of the young athletes and parents/coaches that have submitted information for us to feature on our website and newsletter.  Here’s the first in a series of daily posts we will do to feature our young athletes.

Athletics – Track and Field:

Renowned track and field trainer and coach Peter Cross will be taking an impressive team of 10 Nisga’a athletes as part of Team B.C.’s Athletics team at the North American Indigenous Games.  Peter revived the athletics program at Nisga’a Elementary Secondary School (NESS) approximately 6 years ago with these youngsters and since then, interest has steadily grown.

The team has travelled the region as far as Prince George, to Smithers, Terrace and Prince Rupert to compete in high school competition, often where they are each at the top of their game.  Here's a bit about the 10 athletes on their way to the games.

Ashneel Rai at 17 is the eldest of the team and will be competing in the 100 meter, long jump, triple jump and shot put events.  Ashneel, class valedictorian at the recent 2014 NESS graduation ceremonies, is the son of Ashish and Dianna Rai of Laxgalts’ap and is Gisk’aast (Killerwhale) from Wilps Ni’isy’uus. 

17 year old Justin Stewart is Ganada (Frog) from Wilps Luuxhoon.  Justin is the son of Corey Stewart and Dawn Haizimsque and resides in the community of Gingolx.  Events Justin will compete in include the 100 meter and 200 meter sprints, high jump and triple jump. 

Smiddy Grandison of Gitlaxt’aamiks, now 16 (and will be 17 at the games) is the son of Howard and Mary Grandison.  Smiddy is Laxgibuu (Wolf) from Wilps W’ii Naa Buxw.  At the games Smiddy will compete in the 200 meter, 400 meter and long jump events. 

Marlyn Morven, Ksim Ganada and Brendon McMillan, Ganada (Raven), are both 16, both from Wilps Axdii Wil Luugooda and both residing in the community of Gitlaxt’aamiks.  Marlyn is the daughter of Maureen Morven and will be competing in the 100 meter sprint, 200 meter, 400 meter and long jump events at the games.  Brendon is the son of Eva and Duane McMillan and will be competing in the shot put, discuss, javelin and high jump field events.

First cousins Seth Williams, 15 and Terry Clayton, 14 of Gitlaxt’aamiks are Laxsgiik (Eagle) from Wilps Gitxhoon.  Seth is the son of Nicole Morven and Wendell Williams.  Seth will be competing in the shot put, discus, javelin and triple jump events.  Terry is the son of Dionne Morven and Billy Clayton, Jr. and will be competing in the 200 meter and 300 meter runs and discus and long jump field events.

Skyler Guno is Ganada (Frog) from Wilps Luuxhoon and calls Gitlaxt’aamiks home.  Skyler is 14 and the son of Esther Guno.  At the games, Skyler will compete in the 800 meter, 1500 meter runs and high jump and discuss field events. 

Zane Brown is Ganada(Frog) and the son of Art Angus and Martha Spence from the Nisga’a Village of Gingolx.  At the games, Zane will compete in shot put, javelin and discus events.

12 year young James Griffin is the son of Mansell Griffin and Kimi Hisinaga.  James is Laxsgiik (Eagle) from Wilp Hleek and resides in the community of Gitwinksihlkw.  James will compete in the 800 meter and 1200 meter runs, cross country and discus events. 

Quite the impressive team that will proudly represent their home communities of Gingolx, Laxgalts’ap, Gitwinksihlkw and Gitlaxt’aamiks, the Nisga’a Nation and Team B.C. at the NAIG later this month.  We wish each of them every success in their competitions.

Thank you to Cynthia Guno for compiling the information on each of the track and field team athletes and for providing photographs of them in action at a recent Prince George track and field meet.  View our photo album HERE 

According to the NAIG website, the games will attract 3,700 athletes aged 13 – 19 from across North America, 1,000 coaching staff, 200 team management and mission staff personnel, 3,500 host community volunteers and thousands of family, friends and spectators.  For further information on the games visit the NAIG website at www.regina2014naig.com.