Manitoulin has plenty to be proud of this week as local athletes return home bearing a plethora of bright shining medals, engendering even brighter smiles among family, friends and other supporters.
This past week saw the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) take place in Toronto, coordinated by Wiikwemkoong’s only most very accomplished Toronto NAIG 2017 CEO Marcia Trudeau-Bomberry. Dozens of young competitors headed south from Island First Nation communities, joining expatriate members from across Turtle Island who stepped up for the home team. Among those bringing home medals were Victoria Trudeau, Francesca Pheasant, Jade Paquette, Julian Wemigwans, Zena Pregent, Kinew Cleland, Gabriella Corbiere and Delaney Webkamigad, but those athletes who did not win gold, silver or bronze deserve accolades for their indomitable competitive spirit and determination to be the best that they can be. Their actions speak volumes about the true character and resilience of their communities, communities that are too often only seen in the larger national stage in media reports of crisis and despair.
The Manitoulin Special Olympics athletes, who recently returned from the provincial competitions bearing a haul of 23 medals, 17 gold and six silver, also speak to determination and resilience. Under coaches such as Janet Anning and a host of other volunteers, these athletes have proven that they have the stuff of champions. Austin Featherstone, Yuri Clayton, Matthew Bedard, Kelsey Mellan, Yashua Marsland, Mark Dokum and Andrew Splawnyck showed just what stuff they are made of. Several will doubtless be continuing on to the Canadian Special Olympics Summer Games next year.
In lacrosse there is the example of Wiikwemkoong’s Mackenzie Wasnode Shigwadja whose efforts helped propel Team Ontario to the top of the podium as the 2017 national female lacrosse champions in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In cycling there are the accomplishments of Alex Anstice who has been winning competitions as part of the Wolfpak Cycling team.
Added to these groups are the accomplishments this summer of individual athletes such as Joseph Maxwell who finished in the top 10 in shotput and discus at the Pan Am games and who will be heading to the Canadian Summer Games; Reuben Negannegijig whose exploits in trampoline have garnered him a slot on the Canadian national team; Steve Arthurs who has excelled in kayak competitions; and some of our more recent citizens, Romme Kabron in marathon running and his running companion Kasha Piche, who have been arriving at the top of their sports in local races, destined to greater things no doubt.
Add to these the many sports teams, such as the Manitoulin men’s fastball league, which provide many hours of enjoyment watching the boys of summer compete for top bragging rights on Manitoulin Island. They are keeping alive a tradition of healthy rivalry between communities that quite literally spans generations. In their turn, generational referees such as umpire father and son duo of Don and Delroy Prescott, help make it all possible.
Every week Islanders have the opportunity to follow the exploits of local athletes within the pages of The Expositor, celebrated both in individual news and within the weekly column of Andre Leblanc, who has continued the excellent Ice Chips and Quips report in the footsteps of his father Larry. Each week, Mr. Leblanc unerringly chronicles athletic accomplishments of Islanders near and far in a labour that speaks of his love and passion for sport, often working into the wee hours of a busy workweek to bring his report to the Manitoulin community.
Island communities are very blessed with the calibre and stature of all of our athletes, in all four seasons, and we are justly proud of all that they accomplish.
Most of these athletes could not compete and succeed were it not for a host of volunteers, local businesses, family and friends, who support their efforts through countless fundraising schemes and events, not to mention their own pockets.
Congratulations to one and all for bringing us such great reasons to feel proud and celebrate those things that bring us together in these times where so much seems to conspire to pull us apart.
