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Speak Up

Tobique First Nation athletes and chaperones are among the 65 athletes, coaches, managers, chaperones and mission staff comprising Aboriginal Team New Brunswick now at the Cowichan Valley in British Columbia to compete at the 2008 North American Indigenous Games.

Tobique athletes at the games include Houston Bear, Henry Perley, Elleas Nicholas, Ashten Francis, Mason Perley, Alexander Francis, baseball; Molly Brown, softball; and Mariah Sockabasin, swimming. Chaperones from Tobique include Tosha Moulton and Dustin Sappier.

Ed Doherty, minister responsible for the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat, will attend the games, which will take place from Aug. 3-10.

“These games are an excellent opportunity for Aboriginal youth to develop new friendships as they grow as team players and individual athletes,” Doherty said. “I look forward to cheering for Team New Brunswick in their quest for gold.”

The Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat and the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport provided a contribution of more than $200,000 to support the team.

“I am proud that New Brunswick is able to help make the dreams of these young athletes a reality by supporting their efforts at the Indigenous Games,” said Hédard Albert, minister of wellness, culture and sport. “I know the team will make their communities and all New Brunswickers proud.”

The North American Indigenous Games celebrate the sport and culture of indigenous peoples across North America, and are recognized by the Aboriginal peoples and governments of Canada, and by tribal nations throughout the United States.

The games offer competition in 14 sports for athletes of all abilities between the ages of 13-22. About 9,000 athletes and cultural participants, and 40,000 to 50,000 supporters and spectators, are expected to take part in the 10-day event.

Aboriginal Team New Brunswick will be competing in seven of the 14 sports.

To kick off the event, Bobby Hull, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, was the guest speaker at the celebrations to encourage members of Aboriginal Team New Brunswick.

“It is an honour to have an athlete of Bobby Hull’s calibre to motivate our young athletes to achieve their full potential,” Doherty said. “Mr.

Hull is a legend whose abilities and talent transcend sport. We are simply honoured to have him here.”

In his 15 seasons with the National Hockey League, Hull scored 610 goals and 1,170 total points, making him the highest scoring left wing in history at the time. When he retired, Hull was second only to hockey legend Gordie Howe in goals and total points scored.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.

“I come from a very small town of about 500, so I know from my own experience that anything is possible as long as you work hard and believe in yourself,” Hull said. “It really is possible to make your dreams come true.”

“I want to wish Aboriginal Team New Brunswick the best of luck as they compete among other athletes from across North America,” Albert said. “I am certain these young people will be outstanding representatives for their communities and wonderful ambassadors for our province.”

For more information, visit the 2008 North American Indigenous Games website: http://www.cowichan2008.com/.