The 2014 Tlu-piich (Summer) Games head off the water to the track today, with preliminaries at Bob Dailey beginning at 9 a.m.
The games opened on Aug. 5 with canoe and lacrosse clinics and an opening ceremony at Hupacasath House of Gathering in the evening. See photos here: http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/2014-tlu-piich-games-opening-ceremonies
Linus Lucas emceed that event. Hupacasath Chief Councillor Steven Tatoosh provided a welcome to the athletes, their parents and family members. In his address he noted the recent success of Nuu-chah-nulth athletes at the North American Indigenous Games held in July in Regina. He said he was really proud of the participants who brought back many medals.
Tseshaht Chief Councillor Hugh Braker also made mention of the success of the NAIG athletes saying it proved that the sporting tradition of Nuu-chah-nulth people is alive and doing well. He told participants of the Tlu-piich Games to get out and play hard, but most of all enjoy themselves.
Ken Watts, vice-president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, brought greetings on behalf of the executive. He too noted the NAIG athletes and said they would be honored and recognized at the closing ceremonies of the Tlu-piich Games. He encouraged parents to get in touch with Games Coordinator Marisa Bennett with the names of those who participated. The email address for the games is Tlupiich.games@nuuchahnulth.org or phone 250-723-5757.
Watts congratulated Bennett and the Tlu-piich staff for their successful fundraising golf event held July 31, which raised $9,000 to support games activities. He also thanked the sponsors, including Gold Level Sponsors ceermaq, Chatwin Engineering, and Western Forest Products. Bennett announced that the First Nations Health Authority also recently came aboard as a significant sponsor of the Tlu-piich event. Silver Level sponsors are Alberni Autowoks and Ratcliff & Co. In kind contributions from the Port Alberni Port Authority, Port Alberni Friendship Centre, Hupacasath First Nation, Aboriginal Policing Section of the RCMP, Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council, Ditidaht First Nation, City of Port Alberni, Vicki Wells, Priscilla Sabbas-Watts and Irene Robinson.
Port Alberni Mayor John Douglas also addressed the opening ceremony audience saying the city embraced the concept of the Tlu-piich Games and the healthy lifestyle it encourages.
A highlight of the evening was the induction of two new members to the Nuu-chah-nulth Sports Hall of Fame. Willard Gallic and Richard Lucas were brought forward and their long histories and participation in sports, both as players and builders, were recounted.
See story on Willard Gallic here: http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2014-08-08/willard-gallic-sr-honoured-lif...
The inductees spoke to encourage parents to support their children in sports. Gallic said he spent a lifetime playing a wide variety of sports and a lot of personal goals can be achieved “when you believe in yourself…. When we played the other teams noticed,” he said, adding he was proud and pleased to be inducted into the hall of fame. Tseshaht sang their Victory Song for Gallic, and it filled the room with a powerful sound.
Richard Lucas reminded parents that there are a lot of distractions today that might lead children away from sports, but he encouraged them to work with the kids to ensure they know they are important, that they can be something. Linus Lucas sang the family’s chant for Richard.
Brian Tate of Ditidaht and Martin Watts of Tseshaht stood to thank the new hall of famers for all they had done to add to the sporting culture of the Nuu-chah-nulth people. “We love you for what you guys did,” said Tate.
Linus closed the ceremony by reminding participants to have a good time, and visit with relatives from other nations. After the ceremony, Ditidaht Nation hosted Lahal. They will host Lahal each night the games run. See photos here: http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/lahal-aug-5-2014-tlu-piich-games
The Tlu-piich Games is an alcohol and drug free event. It runs to Aug. 12. For information on the games check out the facebook page NuuchahnulthTlupiichGames .
Related photo galleries:
http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/canoe-races-2014-tlu-piich-games-aug-6
http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/scenes-2014-tlu-piich-games
