Cultural sharing important part of North American native games lit as sacred fire
HALIFAX — Organizers of the North American Indigenous Games lit a sacred fire on Saturday, saying that rekindling First Nations culture is at the heart of the sport’s competition.
“We’ve made it our goal to have 50 percent culture and 50 percent sport at these games, so we’re bringing cultural into all aspects of the games themselves,” games president George (Tex) Marshall said in a post-ceremony interview. . .
The 2023 version of the games will take place at locations in Halifax, known as Kjipuktuk, along with events at Millbook First Nation, near Truro, NS, and Sipekne’katik First Nation, about 60 miles north of Halifax.
Sports include the traditional native sports of canoe/kayak, archery, and lacrosse, as well as soccer, softball, swimming, volleyball, wrestling, beach volleyball, rifle shooting, golf, track and field, badminton, baseball, and basketball.
Indigenous ceremonies will take place at each of the sites, Marshall said. “There will be stains (with holy smoke), elders will be available to athletes for comfort and advice, and our signage will show our language (Mi’kmaq).”
But on Saturday, the vibrant heart of the games was at the cultural village in downtown Halifax, where thousands gathered to watch demonstrations of traditional woodworking, observe a handmade birch bark canoe or enjoy a game of waltes – a Mi’ kmaq dice game.
The games will bring together approximately 5,000 athletes, coaches and mission personnel from more than 750 Indigenous nations across North America.
When the sacred fire was lit, two elders called out to their ancestors to participate in the sports competition for youths aged 13 to 19 years old.
“Our ancestors are always present, through stains, sacred fires, sweats and ceremonies. They made themselves known through the power of fire, which was strong from the start,” said Marshall.
A stage had been prepared nearby for an evening concert featuring contemporary Indigenous performers, including stand-up comedian Clifton Cremo, a Mi’kmaw artist from Eskasoni First Nation in Cape Breton.
Marshall said Halifax won the games in part because of its size, as he promoted it as big enough to provide good facilities but small enough to ensure the games had a prominent presence in the city while they were underway.
As he spoke, the Halifax commons filled with families curious about the various demonstrations and displays.
Outside the cultural village meeting tent, Ernest Johnson, an 82-year-old resident of Eskasoni First Nation in Cape Breton, showed how he uses a razor-sharp plane to shave off bits of ashes that are then made into wooden flowers.
He also told those around him how he uses tree bark to make tea, and explained how certain types of poplar can be used to treat headaches.
“I have some in my garden,” exclaimed an astonished onlooker. Johnson replied, “You don’t need fancy luxury stores to support yourself. It’s all there for you. You just have to learn it.”
He said in an interview after the demonstration that he wants to give city dwellers an alternative vision of the value of wood.
“If we see an opportunity to save wood, we’ll do it,” he said, showing how he turns a piece of ash into a clapper-shaped percussion instrument — known as Ji’gmaquan — to use with dance and song.
Maureen MacMullin, a former music teacher, listened to Johnson’s speech and said it was a learning experience.
“The way he looks at wood, he calls it ‘a gift’… It’s nice to hear about the traditional ways. I appreciate it so much,” she said.
“So many people come here to learn.”
Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons, the game president, said in an interview that she believes the prominence of the cultural activities during sports competition stems from a renaissance within First Nations.
“It was really only in recent history that we were able to practice our culture, whether it was our spirituality or ceremonies, our dance, our songs. That was all forbidden for so long,” she said.
“I feel like my ancestors are saying, ‘Look, we suffered for a reason. It’s time to take it back.’ It’s time to take back who we are and bring that forward, not just for ourselves and for future generations, but for everyone we touch, all peoples.”
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 15, 2023.
