The 2013 Nuu-chah-nulth Tlu-piich Games promises to be more cultural and more inclusive and two dynamic young women were hired to make it happen.
Young mother Marisa Bennett is from Ahousaht, but grew up in Ucluelet. Bennett is proud to say she is from the Marshall and Joseph families and she has nine-year-old Samaya and an 11-month-old son.
She is working hard as the Tlu-Piich Games coordinator to organize nearly two weeks of fun-filled events and activities.
Bennett worked for Parks Canada for the past 15 years. She has helped to organize dozens of events for Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, including National Aboriginal Day festivities.
“This will be a great event for youth and for family,” said Bennett, adding that there would be more cultural activities in 2013.
For example, during the regular Track & Field events, a new, more challenging cultural event will be introduced.
“We’ve been talking to families and have been allowed to use some of their tupati games for our Tupati Obstruction Course,” she said.
Tupati games are difficult challenges often seen at traditional marriage. Bennett said she heard of one where a $20 bill is placed atop a greased pole and young men take turns attempting to slither up and get the prize.
There will also be canoe clinics where participants will learn about the workings of a traditional dugout canoe. “We’ve been hearing that a few nations have been challenging each other to a race,” Bennett said.
Sherri Cook, also an active young mother, has been hired to assist Bennett to make the Tlu-Piich Games a success.
Sherri said her father is Huu-ay-aht and her mother is Tsimshian. She is married to Thomas Dick of Tseshaht and is the proud mother of Frederick, 19, Justin, 13 and toddler Saryta. She has raised her sons to be active in sports and is very proud of everything they do.
Cook has worked with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council as an Education worker for the past10 years.
“This is my dream job,” she said. “I’ve always been involved with my sons’ sports; I love to organize sports and this feels really nice,” she added.
Cook is focused on getting sponsor support for the games and organizing the Princess Pageant, and everything else in between, she laughed.
Bennett and Cook are working on ways to make the games and events more inclusive. “We are wanting to bring more First Nations back in terms of participation and we want to make it more about fun and less about results,” said Cook.
In order for the games to be successful more volunteers are needed. Prizes will be made available to volunteers on a daily basis and there will be a grand prize at the conclusion of the games.
More food vendors are needed. Those interested in selling food should be aware that at least one Food Safe-certified vendor must be on site at all times.
Nominations for the NTC Sport Hall of Fame are open until Aug. 1.
Please contact Marisa Bennett or Sherri Cook at the NTC for registration forms or more information. Please be aware that Track & Field events have been moved from Bob Daily Stadium to EJ Dunn School.
