Students bring home 41 medals

The First Nations Education Council (FNEC) Inter-School games wrapped up this weekend, with students and staff from Rotiwennakéhte Elementary School and Ratihén:te High School returning from Quebec City tired but triumphant.

Rotiwennakéhte Elementary School brought home 38 medals, including a silver for volleyball, and the Ratihén:te High School students won three more, bringing the total to 41 medals for Kanesatake.

“It was amazing,” said Amber Simon, Rotiwennakéhte student life animator and volleyball coach.

“We’re blown away by our athletes and the amount of dedication and effort they showed, and bringing back so many medals for our community. It was overall just really an amazing trip and experience for everyone,” said Simon.

Simon said the strong results reflected months of preparation, as students began training for the track and field events in February in partnership with the Kanesatake Health Center (KHC); and volleyball practices started in late October.

“They were really well prepared,” said Simon. “But just their energy at the games and their motivation is what got them there.”

Simon shared one of her most memorable performances from one of the students during the events, when Shakohentese Gabriel entered the 800M race last minute.

“He almost didn’t make it to the starting line,” said Simon, adding that Gabriel had to rush to make the event. “He just decided at that moment, ‘Yeah, why not?’ and jumped in.”

Despite the last-minute decision, Gabriel still finished fifth.

“It feels really fun, cool, and good,” said Gabriel. “When you win, it gives a really good shock to your body.”

Gabriel finished the tournament with four medals but gave one away to a friend.

“He wasn’t afraid,” said Simon. “He had confidence, and it was just so awesome to see.”

Most students stayed home the first Monday back due to exhaustion from the packed weekend, but on Tuesday Rotiwennakéhte students proudly wore their medals, the sound of them clinking together echoing down the halls.

“They are definitely super proud. It’s really good to see the confidence boost in all of them,” said Simon.

Student Ronwaniente Etienne-Gareau felt intimidated during his first volleyball game and before competing in the track and field events.

“It was pretty scary and nerve-wracking,” said Etienne-Gareau. “But all the other games we played really good.”

“This year was more fun,” said student Eden Lemieux. “I feel a lot more confident.”

This was the first year Lemieux won medals at the FNEC. She earned five medals in track and field and was on the silver medal volleyball team.

“I was proud of myself,” said Lemieux.

Ienonkwatshera’hawi Nicholas, who also won silver for volleyball, said the other teams were good, but Rotiwennakéhte played their hardest, and that was what got them silver. Simon said that the school is planning to have a banner in the gym to celebrate the students.

Behind the students was a strong support network of coaches, organizers, chaperones, and community members.

“They were always there to pick our students up,” said Simon. “They’re like, ‘Let’s go, come on guys, you got this.’”

Lizane Montreuil, teacher at Ratihén:te High School and the main organizer, said she has been going to the FNEC events for nine years, and that the FNEC has become increasingly organized, making the experience smoother for both students and staff.

“Back then it was such a mess, but now each year it runs smoother and smoother,” said Montreuil.

“We’re exhausted,” said Montreuil, who estimated that even with improved organization she walked between 35,000 and 50,000 steps each day going between venues and events.

“It’s seeing the smile on their face after they compete,” said Montreuil, for whom the students’ excitement made the effort worthwhile.

“They’re just so happy, that’s the most rewarding part for me,” said Montreuil.

The high school FNEC group had fewer students than in previous years, according to Montreuil, due to the fact that this cohort of students just aren’t as sporty as previous years.

Despite that, students still earned four medals.

“We’re super proud of our kids,” she said.

[email protected]

Fern Marmont, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter