Sandy Lake Athletes Compete at North American Indigenous Games

Six athletes from Sandy Lake First Nation are representing Team Ontario at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Regina from July 20-27, 2014.

The athletes join 6,000 other participants from 26 regions across North American competing in 14 different sports.

Keiron Kakepetum, who is competing in U19 Lacrosse, carried the Sandy Lake First Nation flag in the opening ceremonies that kicked off the games on July 20. Keiron’s grandparents Jackie and Joan Rae who are at the NAIG say watching the athletes walk in the opening ceremonies was a proud feeling for everyone. 

Band Councillor Wayne Kakepetum, who is also at the NAIG to support his daughter Jurriah Kakepetum and the other SLFN athletes says there were also flags from Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inniniwug and Fort Severn. “It was pretty amazing,” he says of seeing all the athletes in the opening ceremonies. 

Georgina Kakegamic is cheering for her grandson Tyler Kakegamic from home in Sandy Lake. Tyler is competing in the U16 Male Volleyball event, the same sport Georgina's son and Tyler's dad Josh Kakegamic competed in for Team Ontario at the NAIG in the 90's. 

The athletes and their chaperones Darlene Kakepetum and Ralph Bekintis are staying with the rest of Team Ontario at the University of Regina campus. 

The Sandy Lake participants received sponsorship from Sandy Lake First Nation, Ontario Works (National Child Benefit Program), Sandy Lake Board of Education, Sandy Lake Healthy Authority and Sandy Lake Community Development Services Inc. They each contributed $250 to each athlete for travel, meals, accommodations, tracksuits, hats, bag, etc.

Click on the athletes name to see their profile on the NAIG website. Click on each athletes sporting event to see their schedules and results.

Aaron Gorzen, age 15 - Wrestling (Male 85kg/187.4lb)

Keiron Kakepetum, age 17 - Lacrosse (U19)

Jeffrey Kakegamic, age 15 – Athletics (U16 Male 800m, U16 Male 1200m, U16 Male 3km X-Country, U16 Male Javelin)

Jurriah Kakepetum, age 13 – Athletics (U16 Female 800m, U16 Female 3km X-Country, U16 Female Discus)

Tanner Meekis, age 14 – Basketball (U14 Male)

Tyler Kakegamic, age 16 – Volleyball (U16 Male)