Medals and good times for Team Kahnawake

Team Kahnawake, made up of students from Kahnawake Survival School (KSS), Kateri School, Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstáhkhwa, and Karihwanó:ron Tsi Ionterihwaienstáhkhwa, returned home from the First Nations Education Council (FNEC) Inter-School Games in Quebec City with 45 medals, including banners for 10-12 year-old boys’ floor hockey and 10-12 year-old girls’ volleyball.

In total, Team Kahnawake won nine gold medals, seven silver, 12 bronze, 11 fourth-place, and six fifth-place.

“Overall, the experience was incredible. It’s always nice to see our community united under one umbrella and being able to compete against other Onkwehón:we communities is always a thrill,” said Brandon Bordeau, chef de mission for Team Kahnawake along with Shakowennenha:wi Deer.

“Being able to win is great, but it’s just the experience of having yourself bond with students and teachers and chaperones who might not necessarily teach or work or attend your own school; that is extremely valuable.”

Bordeau even took part in an event himself, finishing sixth in the adult 6KM trail run.

“From a physical standpoint, it was very grueling, it was every bit the challenge that I expected and then some,” said Bordeau.

He said that to him, running is medicine, making the choice to run the race easy.

“I went on a little bit of a fitness journey to try to lose weight, and I hadn’t raced in a competitive race in 20 years. I felt like it was time to truly start doing things that I love to do for me, and I’m happy that I did accomplish that,” said Bordeau.

At the end of the 50 or so minutes it took him to complete the race, he saw many Team Kahnawake members waiting for him at the finish line, cheering him on.

“That’s the biggest smile that you can put on your face. That’s another thing too, just realizing that in those ways the kids truly appreciate what you do,” said Bordeau.

Kyle Zacharie, who has been a coach for many of the championship-winning floor hockey players in minor hockey, was excited to see them take home the banner as a spectator.

“I’m proud of all the boys, the way they played, the way they encouraged each other, and how they battle back when they were in tight games,” said Zacharie.

His son Shakohawi:nes won medals in three different disciplines, being part of the finals-winning floor hockey team, as well as winning gold in 11-year-old boys’ shot put and a fourth-place medal in 11-year-old boys’ javelin.

“That’s what I like about FNEC, although the athletes are competing in their team sport, they all have the opportunity to compete in track and field. Although it was exciting to watch them win a team gold, I was proud to see many of them earn individual medals as well,” said Kyle.

Shakohawi:nes said he had a great time at the games, his second time travelling to them. He finished fifth in both javelin and shot put last year.

“They were really fun. I liked staying in the dorms with my friends. It was really fun to play ball hockey and to win the championship. Some games were really close, but I can’t wait to go back next year,” said Shakohawi:nes.

Three years into the existence of Team Kahnawake as one entity at the FNEC Inter-School games, it is safe to say that the project has been a big success in rallying the community behind all the athletes.

“I think it’s great to see the camaraderie and the team spirit that surrounds everyone at FNEC. It has the same feeling as the past Team Kahnawake from the Indigenous Games. It doesn’t matter the sport or what athletes are playing, if you’re wearing the jersey you know you’ll have a big cheering section behind you,” said Zacharie.

Case in point: Bordeau said that more than 150 community members were in the stands to watch the 10-to-12-year-old girls compete for a bronze medal in volleyball.

“We travel extremely well. Our parents are incredible sports parents, incredibly passionate about their children and our teams and their performances. Being able to see that many people that were out there in full support of our community was incredible,” said Bordeau.

“I think it just speaks volumes to how much our community members support their athletes.”

Konwaienhawi Dione, a teacher at Karihwanó:ron and responsible for organizing the school’s athletes for the games, decided to not go as a chaperone to the games for the first time in over a decade. Instead, she went to go and support her children Rohna’shatste and Teiakohontsahkwen Whitebean in their competitions, while still keeping an eye on how the Karihwanó:ron students were performing.

“It was really different going as a parent,” said Dione. Still, her days were full, she said, going to track events, floor hockey, and basketball events.

She even stayed an extra day at the competitions when the 10-to-12-year-old mixed basketball team, with Teiakohontsahkwen on the roster, made it to the finals and took home silver.

The semifinals game, an 18-16 win over Awacak, was a highlight for Dione.

“It was a very close game. It was back and forth, and Awacak were up by a few baskets. And then our team ended up making a comeback. They played really hard in that semifinal to make it to the finals, so that was to me the best game,” said Dione.

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