A dozen local athletes represented their First Nation, their city, their community and their province, and some were rewarded with gold, silver and bronze.
Athletes from the Snuneymuxw and Snaw-Naw-As First Nations, as well as other aboriginal athletes from Nanaimo, helped Team B.C. win the medal count last month at the North American Indigenous Games in Regina.
“I believe that we all came here to celebrate our ancestry and skills in a healthy and positive way…” said Colin Starblanket, a Games director. "Each [athlete] contributed to the success of these Games through good sportsmanship and showcasing his/her culture."
Sahara Tom helped her U19 fastball team win gold, as B.C. beat Wisconsin 10-0 in the gold-medal final, and Alison Sudlow was part of B.C.’s U16 gold-medal-winning fastball squad.
Brandee-lynn Quewezance won gold in U14 basketball and Shaneeka Swift earned silver in U16 basketball.
Pamela Little won three silver medals in swimming and Alaia White helped Team B.C.’s U18 side to bronze in soccer.
Garaline Tom was manager for Team B.C.'s silver-medal-winning boys' basketball team.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com