2014 North American Indigenous Games Unveils Official Medals and Symbols

Regina, SK – At a press conference held earlier today (May 13) at Ramada Hotel, organizers of the upcoming 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) unveiled their official medals. They also used this opportunity to unveil their official symbols of the games which were two buffalos; a Youth symbol known as “Tatanka Ci’Stina” (Chestina) which is Dakota for “Little Buffalo” and an Adult symbol known as “Paskwa-Moostoos” which is Nehiyawewin (Cree) for “Buffalo”.

“Out of respect for the sacredness of the Buffalo to the North American Plains Indigenous, the icons will be referred to as symbols as opposed to mascots” read the NAIG official press release.

Helping unveil the medals was Stan Bobb of the Saskatchewan First Nations CDC (Community Development Corporations) Association, who talked to RezX about having the opportunity to sponsor the medals.

“The CDC’s have long been supporters of youth programming, and we found this to be an excellent opportunity to support the elite of our young people and to give others the opportunity to set the goals to come and attain medals of this nature,” said Bobb.

NAIG CEO Ron Crowe added, “The (medals) are just beautiful, I think any athlete or any participant would be proud to take one of these home”.

For this press conference, Indigenous Youth were front and centre as a couple youth also got the chance to speak and sing for the packed room of media and many NAIG Sponsors, board of directors, staff and officials in attendance.

Teddy Bison (a member of both the Wambdi dance troupe and Charging Bear pow wow group) opened up the press conference with a special pow wow song made specifically for the games called, “Oyate kin woohiye tha witan, Ikichize wichasa s’e iwashaka, Ohinni wowahwala yuhayelo” which Bison explained means “the people are proud of your success, you’re strong like warriors, always have fortitude”.

Volunteer Ambassador, Cassandra Wajunuta-Opikakew also spoke while wearing one of her Team Sask jersey’s from when she last participated in the games as a youth and later told RezX about the importance of volunteering for the games for anyone who wants to sign up.

“There’s tons of incentives, you get into the concerts for free, you get to see Crystal Shawanda and George Leach for free, you get free meals, get to come watch the events for free, but beyond that you get to really get to experience Indigenous culture, we have a cultural village and opening and closing ceremonies, so if you’re somebody who is not part of the Indigenous community, this a chance to see what it’s all about,” said Wajunuta-Opikakew.

In the video below, Stan Bobb showed off the medals that athletes can win at the upcoming 2014 North American Indigenous Games to be held in Regina July 20-27. Please see gallery below of RezX’s coverage.

– Reporting, Video and Photos by Chris Tyrone Ross

NAIG PRESS CONFERENCE GALLERY