Let the Games begin

On Wednesday morning, Ratihén:te High School was a flurry of excitement as students grabbed jerseys from makeshift piles in the gym - they had been delivered to the wrong location the night before - and finished packing their bags just ahead of getting on the bus to Quebec City.

Others had to delay their journey, going up afterwards by car, so they could complete their ministry French exams.

But it’s safe to say the most memorable moments of their week are only now underway as close to 40 local students meet, greet, and compete at the First Nations Education Council (FNEC) Inter-School Games in a bid to win medals and make memories that will last a lifetime.

“The kids were really, really excited, just like every year. They’re a little bit stressed, a little bit nervous, but it’s all excitement,” said Ratihén:te High School teacher Lizane Montreuil, Kanesatake’s FNEC Games mission chief for both local schools.

“Of course, we want to do well, we love when they do well, but the main thing is to have an experience with your friends and to have fun.”

The Games bring together youth 10 and up from First Nations communities across Quebec, not only for sport but also for opportunities to mingle with other Onkwehón:we students.

“Some people, they still talk on social media throughout the year. They became really good friends and they keep in touch and everything and they plan stuff,” said Montreuil.

The FNEC Games started on May 22, with a range of track-and-field activities and volleyball, Kanesatake’s sole team sport.

As usual, Kanehsata’kehró:non Jeff Nelson is coaching the local volleyball squads, with two mixed Rotiwennakéhte Ionterihwaienhstáhkhwa elementary school teams this year and one girls’ Ratihén:te High School team, the same one that competes in the Reseau du sport etudiant du Quebec (RSEQ).

Kanesatake students have earned multiple gold medals in volleyball in recent years, so it’s definitely one sport to watch out for.

“Because we’ve won medals in the past in volleyball, their confidence level is up there. They feel they can compete against anybody. That’s the good part about it,” said Nelson.

“It really makes me feel good, it really does. It means I’m doing something right because the kids keep coming back. That means they’re enjoying the game, they’re loving the game, and knowing we’re competing against other definitely larger communities, it’s a real accomplishment.”

Nearly all the players on the girls’ Ratihén:te team were on last year’s mixed gold medal volleyball team, so that squad is looking for what would essentially be a repeat championship.

“My goal is to try to make sure that we get into the playoffs because if we get into the playoffs, I feel we can compete against anybody, no matter how good the other teams are,” said Nelson.

That girls’ squad recently had a tournament playing against teams that were playing in the Canadian Nationals. “Even though we’re not at that same calibre, we’re not far off from being able to be competitive,” said Nelson, suggesting it was excellent practice for the FNEC Games where Ratihén:te will have a chance to excel.

At press-time, Ratihén:te had lost its first matchup in two sets against Alaqsite’w Gitpu, 25-16 and 25-19. Rotiwennakéhte 1 lost its first matchup in two sets against Olamen, while Rotiwennakéhte 2 lost two games against Team Kahnawake, both in two sets.

Besides volleyball, Montreuil said there are a few track-and-field events to keep an eye on.

“Shotput, we usually get a few medals, and they really trained for it this year,” she said, adding that all of the shotput medallists are trying their hand at javelin this year.

Relay is another key sport. “Some racers are pretty fast so that should be interesting too,” she said.

As for staff and volunteers, five days of excitement can tucker out the adults, but Montreuil doesn’t think twice about getting involved year after year.

“We get really tired, but just to see the excitement on their faces this morning, they’re so excited to go, and every year it’s such a great experience for them,” Montreuil said. “To see all that makes it worth it.”

The FNEC Games last through May 25, and readers can expect more coverage in next week’s edition of The Pines Reporter.

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter