The Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Summer Games Overview
History & Background:
The history of the summer games goes back as far as the 1970’s. The original Mi’kmaw games were known as the Maritime Indian Summer Games which were held in communities in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Conflicts in dates arose which eventually led to the formation of the Nova Scotia Indian Summer Games with hosts being altered between Nova Scotia communities each year. These games were a success in terms of bringing Mi’kmaw communities together. They also helped develop much needed facilities for sports such as ballfields, horseshoe pits and cultural grounds in hosting communities. Unfortunately, due to lack of organization and structure by an overall organizing body and professional event organizers, the games suffered greatly. There was no real accountability processes put in place and tools such as technical packages and proper budgets simply did not exist. Most of the games suffered severe financial losses which eventually led to their demise.
The Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games:
Fast forward to the fall of 2009…
A small group lead by Chief Morley Googoo of Waycobah First Nation began discussions in the fall of 2009 about bringing the summer games back after more than a decade. This group agreed it is very important to encourage youth involvement in sports and ensure that Mi’kmaw traditions are passed on to younger generations. In the past, the summer games were a great way to celebrate both sports and culture. Lifelong friendships were built because of the games, which has helped in strengthening the Mi’kmaw Nation. In today’s world, technology has changed the way society interacts. Good health, fitness, teamwork, and face-to-face social interaction are extremely important lessons to teach the youth of today - to help build confidence, self-respect and the skills needed to become well-rounded, successful adults who are proud to be Mi’kmaw. The games provide these lessons plus much, much more. Sporting events and social gatherings bring communities together and help in instilling a sense of oneness, pride and camaraderie amongst all community members.
The games provide an opportunity to share Mi’kmaw culture and traditions with the Cape Breton community and tourists alike. They also provide an opportunity to partner and work with many local Cape Breton groups including government agencies, volunteer organizations, local businesses, and the general public. In order for the games to work in the long-term, it was imperative that proper development, policies, procedures and key people must be put in place. A five-year financial commitment was made back in 2009 by all five Unama’ki Band Councils. Each year, each community contributes funding to the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games Association. Along with some additional financial support, the summer games Committee oversees the annual budget and makes sure that a deficit is not incurred. The Board’s mandate is to continue to support and promote the development of sport and Mi’kmaw culture both in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and in Atlantic Canada. This mandate is achieved by planning, organizing, staging and raising funds to support this annual event.
Mission
To inspire youth and young adults to believe in themselves, achieve their dreams and unite with all First Nation communities to share and learn Mi’kmaw culture and traditions.
Vision
To be a stronger First Nation community whose spirit is raised by its passion for sport and the Mi’kmaw culture.
Values
Team, Trust, Excellence, Sustainability, Growth, Unity
Sustainability
Our definition of sustainability refers to the social, economic and environmental impacts and opportunities the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games (NSMSG) produce – specifically, lasting benefits.
Some examples of this long-term impact are:
- Promoting health and wellness within all communities year round – particularly amongst our youth. This will be achieved by year long preparations for the games…. through training and practice sessions.
- Sports Education (coaches clinics) - These have been offered the last three years prior to the games and are open to those who wish to become certified.
- Upgrades to field and facilities
- Continuing to instil team spirit and help build friendships that will last a lifetime.
Capacity Building
As far as the summer games committee is concerned, when talking about capacity building, we are talking about enhancing the ability of all five Cape Breton Mi’kmaw communities to address their health issues and concerns. We are addressing this to some degree with the summer games event. One of our goals is to instill the love of sports and healthy lifestyles amongst youth. If we can touch the youth of today with this message, there is a chance they will continue on the path of health and wellness throughout their lives. Capacity Building relies strongly on collaboration and partnerships which we have many - this includes the partnerships of all five Cape Breton First Nation communities first and foremost. Also, with the support of government and local businesses, in the past three years we have built many strong relationships. This is something we will continue. One of the challenges we face is obtaining more funding for both the games and the host communities. With more funding, the games could continue to grow and add more to the overall event.
Three Years of Success:
So far, the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games have been held in three
communities:
2010 – Membertou First Nation
2011 – Wagmatcook First Nation
2012 – Eskasoni First Nation
2013 – Waycobah First Nation
This year, the games added a powwow; the games will also have live shows, fireworks, and demonstrations. Sporting events for the games are Softball/Little League, Volleyball, Basketball, Archery, Arm Wrestling, Badminton, Canoeing, Darts, 5 K race, Floor Hockey, Golf, Grappling, Horseshoes, Princess Pageant, Track & Field, Tug of War and Waltes.
New to the games this year are Special Olympics, Tradition Triathlon (running, canoeing, archery) , Mikmaq Arts & Craft showcase, Firemen Competition and we will be having a Lacrosse Demonstration.
2010 Marks the Return of the Summer Games
A small group led by Chief Morley Googoo of Waycobah First Nation began discussions in the fall of 2009 about bringing the summer games back after more than decade. This group agreed it is very important to encourage youth involvement in sports and ensure that Mi'kmaw traditions are passed on to younger generations. In the past the summer games were a great way to celebrate both sports and culture. Lifelong friendships were built because of the games which has helped in strengthening the Mi'kmaw Nation. In today's world technology has changed the way society interacts. Good health, fitness, teamwork and face to face social interaction are extremely important lessons to teach the youth of today to help build confidence, self-respect and the skills needed to become well-rounded, successful adults who are proud to be Mi'kmaw.
The games provide these lessons plus much, much more. Sporting events and social gatherings bring communities together and help in instilling a sense of oneness, pride and camaraderie amongst all community members. The games also provide an opportunity to share Mi'kmaw culture and traditions with the Cape Breton community and tourists alike.
"The games have been encouraging. Bringing back the games after 12 years proved to be the right thing to do. Participation and numbers were phenomenal and far exceeds what we initially projected. The Games have a bright future." Chief Morley Googoo, Waycobah First Nation/NSMSG Chair.
The Mi'kmaw Summer Games are open to all First Nations communities within Atlantic Canada. All Atlantic Canadian communities are encouraged to participate. We are anticipating hosting approximately 1400 athletes in addition to spectators. The games will be a premier multi-faceted sporting event which will include a number of sporting categories including team, individual, traditional, leisure and cultural.
The Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Summer Games Board of Directors is a volunteer-based board whose mandate is to support and promote the development of sport and Mi'kmaw culture in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. This mandate is achieved by planning, organizing, staging and raising funds to support this annual event.
Mission & Vision
To inspire youth and young adults to believe in themselves, achieve their dreams and unite with all First Nation communities to share and learn Mi'kmaw culture and traditions. To be a stronger First Nation community whose spirit is raised by its passion for sport and the Mi'kmaw culture.
The games provide these lessons plus much, much more. Sporting events and social gatherings bring communities together and help in instilling a sense of oneness, pride and camaraderie amongst all community members. The games also provide an opportunity to share Mi'kmaw culture and traditions with the Cape Breton community and tourists alike.
"The games have been encouraging. Bringing back the games after 12 years proved to be the right thing to do. Participation and numbers were phenomenal and far exceeds what we initially projected. The Games have a bright future." Chief Morley Googoo, Waycobah First Nation/NSMSG Chair.
The Mi'kmaw Summer Games are open to all First Nations communities within Atlantic Canada. All Atlantic Canadian communities are encouraged to participate. We are anticipating hosting approximately 1400 athletes in addition to spectators. The games will be a premier multi-faceted sporting event which will include a number of sporting categories including team, individual, traditional, leisure and cultural.
The Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Summer Games Board of Directors is a volunteer-based board whose mandate is to support and promote the development of sport and Mi'kmaw culture in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. This mandate is achieved by planning, organizing, staging and raising funds to support this annual event.
Mission & Vision
To inspire youth and young adults to believe in themselves, achieve their dreams and unite with all First Nation communities to share and learn Mi'kmaw culture and traditions. To be a stronger First Nation community whose spirit is raised by its passion for sport and the Mi'kmaw culture.
Building the Future by looking to the Past
Image from Membertou Summer Games 1981
Here, Clifford Paul shares some memories and thoughts with us on the NS Mi’kmaw Summer Games
The games were very important to me in many ways. First and foremost, many of the parents of the day brought their families to the Summer Games – and everybody had something to do at the games. The questions we usually ask amongst family and friends and our distant cousins from other Mi’kmaq communities were: “What are you going to enter? Have you practiced? How good is your team? Who are you pitching when you play us?”
The games were something very special to us all. While some people excelled in team sports, there were others that stood out in individual sports such as canoeing, rifle shooting, track and field, archery. As teens, we watched with great interest, what was going on in the annual princess pageant as well.
Myself, I did well in archery of course – always competing at every Summer Games event that I could attend. I played fastball and during the last event in Membertou, 1991 I believe, we introduced outdoor volleyball as a demonstration sport for the event.
The games biggest success, however, is the social avenues the event created. We were brought up in a time when there was an incredible awareness of each other. In that I mean we were happy to reunite with our friends from other First Nation communities across the province. There was the competitive nature of things that was commonplace, but, aside from all that there was a lot of happiness and camaraderie amongst our people. I’d say that is the greatest legacy of the Summer Games – that it allowed the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia to gather for a common purpose.
I will always remember the runners coming in from the previous year’s host community and passing on the scroll to the host community to officially open the Summer Games. I remember the excellence our people displayed, not only in athletic accomplishment, but in cheering each other on and just simply enjoying the company of our people.
The Summer Games had significant impact on our communities. For many, the games provided the excuse to spend very limited dollars on upgrading our humble facilities. Every community had cheap labor in those days in the form of summer students. I know for a fact, that these students raked tons and tons of rocks from their fields and converted them to immaculate ball fields and quarter-mile tracks. Cultural grounds were also set up and they provided fun and entertainment for everyone as well. This would include kettle boiling contests, teepee painting, arts and crafts demonstrations, and traditional Mi’kmaq feasts.
Every community took pride in their preparation for the games. Additionally, there were some that enjoyed the entrepreneurial benefits of hosting the games as there were lots of hungry mouths to feed. Food vendors, especially benefitted locally, hotel rooms were bought up, and local sporting goods stores were ringing in the profits as well.
The return of the Summer Games was bound to happen. For those of us that attended the games with our parents, we want to ensure that our children and their children will get to experience the greatness of those former days. I am extremely proud that our communities have not let go of this and are willing to bring it back. People from my generation and my parents’ generation are sure to be excited about this. Aside from all the nostalgia associated with the Summer Games, the opportunity for our people to gather fosters an immeasurable amount of goodwill and friendly competition. It would be a great feeling when our Chief Terry Paul reads the Summer Games scroll and announces: “Let the games begin!”
Clifford Paul is from Membertou, NS and is UNIR’s Moose Management Coordinator.
