Time to batter up, Nuu-chah-nulth! It’s the 40th anniversary of the Tlu-piich Games this week in Port Alberni, Aug. 11 to 14.
Hosted by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC), the annual Tlu-piich (meaning summer) Games are all about bringing communities together for friendly sports competition, culture and fun times.
“We finally got the swimming pool back this year. Every year it’s been closed because of maintenance. We’re going to have races, toddler swim and water basketball,” said Tlu-piich Games Operations Co-ordinator Deanna Samuel.
“I’m looking forward to a lot of people being happy and just enjoying the games,” she said.
To celebrate the 40th milestone, athletes will receive a goodie bag this year, plus teams can camp at the Fall Fair Grounds. The organizing committee is also doing their best to make sure community needs are met.
“We’ll have an Athlete Station for people to cool down and we’re inviting food vendors so players don’t have to leave to come eat,” said Samuel.
As of Aug. 1, five nations had confirmed their attendance: Ditidaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Tseshaht, Hupacasath and Huu-ay-aht. Samuel hopes more nations will join the fun.
“Way back when it was the Indian Games we would have the whole Vancouver Island out participating, and it was huge. It was two weeks. I remember everything was full,” said Samuel, who is from Ditidaht First Nation.
Cloy-e-iis (Judith Sayers), NTC President, has participated in the Tlu-piich Games since the ‘90s.
“The Tlu-piich games are an institution with Nuu-chah-nulth,” said Cloy-e-iis.
“In the 1990s and beyond, every Nuu-chah-nulth Nation came to Port Alberni for the games. The Bob Dailey stadium was packed with spectators and vendors out the gates. Every team staked out an area around the tracks and had their tarps and tents and their banners proudly advertising their Nation. Some games everyone roasted due to the heat, and a few years the weather was so cold we wrapped in coats and blankets under the tarps,” she shared.
“All of those years, the games were a competition and everyone took the races and field events very seriously. From the toddlers to the elders doing the turtle race every race was cheered on by the crowds. The elders especially were a favourite with the people. It was pure fun and lots of laughter. When you weren’t racing you were hanging out in the bleachers or sitting in your tents cheering on your team members. On our tents we had our elders and families and a real community feeling. If the games went into the evening, teams would bring in pizzas or KFC to keep them going,” Cloy-e-iis continued.
The Indian Games used to include a Miss Nuu-chah-nulth Beauty Pageant and a sober Teen Dance, but over the years funding and staffing for the games dwindled, so the mid-August event became smaller.
“After a time, it was decided not to do competition any more and some interest was lost. Then Covid hit and there were no games. Then a few Nations wanted to do their own games like in the north and the games toned down a little more but still enjoyed by many. Now we are ramping up to bring the games back to what they once were,” said Cloy-e-iis.
The first sport on the 2025 Tlu-piich Games program is track and field on Monday morning at Bob Dailey Stadium.
“Nuu-chah-nulth traditionally ran up mountains, had runners going from nation to nation to dominate and trained running on the beaches. Running was an important part of our lives, so the games continues the tradition,” said NTC President Cloy-e-iis.
Slow-pitch and pool games are on Tuesday, 3v3 basketball on Wednesday and canoe races plus volleyball at Canal Beach on Thursday.
There is also bingo on Monday night at the Italian Hall and a culture/wellness night on Thursday at Italian Hall. The opening ceremonies are 5:30 p.m. at Bob Dailey and the closing ceremonies are at Canal Beach around 2 p.m. on Thursday.
“The grand finale was always the closing ceremonies where trophies were awarded,” said Cloy-e-iis. “One year, I joined the games and won first place in 40 and over for winning in the shotput and swimming. Of course, I was the only one, so I was guaranteed a win. What fun.”
As always, the Tlu-piich Games committee could use more volunteers, particularly for security, refereeing, scorekeeping and umpires.
“We appreciate our volunteers hard work. You’re taking time out of your busy life to sit in the hot sun and we acknowledge that that is a lot. We offer a free meal [for] just helping out our community. Our games is all about community. I just like the whole community to come together for this very special event,” Samuel expressed.
Anyone interested in signing up or volunteering, reach out to: Deanna Samuel, operations co-ordinator, at deanna.samuel@nuuchahnulth.org, or Jacklyn Biggemann, volunteer co-ordinator, at Jacklyn.biggemann@nuuchahnulth.org.
Follow the Facebook Page “NuuChahNulth Tlu-Piich Games 2025” for updates.
