Athletes from the Bulkley Valley held their own against some of the best in the country during this year’s North American Indigenous Games in Regina, bringing home eight medals last weekend.
Hazelton’s Joel Patsey captured gold with the U16 soccer team with a tight 2-1 victory over Team Saskatchewan, while older brother Jalen won silver with the U18 team losing to Saskatchewan 4-0 in the finals.
“It was a great experience getting to play soccer at that level and getting the exposure of travelling and seeing what the competition is like in other areas,” said Jalen. “We got to represent the community and our town . . . we made a lot of memories that I’ll never forget.”
Jerry Morrison, Joel and Jalen’s grandfather, also travelled to watch them compete in the Games.
“The most exciting part was watching my grandkids play soccer,” said Morrison. “They’re dedicated to keeping fit all the time and it was exciting to see them take themselves to the limit.”
In the pool, Bulkley Valley Otters’ swimmers Travis Pete and Monica Joseph won three medals each.
Pete brought home bronze in the 400 metre freestyle. He also won silver in the 100 and 200 metre butterfly.
Joseph won three silver medals in the 4x50 metre and 4x100 metre freestyle relays, and the 4x50 metre medley relay.
Wrestler Sa-yez Wilson finished fifth in the 69 kg weight class.
The U16 boys softball team also came in fifth with the help of Smithers’ Reid Williams, Gavin George and Joel Nikal of Moricetown.
“I had a lot of fun there, we played four games, won two and lost two, made new friends and everything,” said 14-year-old Nikal. “I don’t think we played our best, but we did pretty good for not having played together before.”
However, for the young athlete it isn’t all about winning, but the experience.
“The openeing and closing ceremonies were really cool,” he said.
Team B.C. led all other provinces with 160 medals and took home the John Fletcher Spirit Award and the Overall Team Award.