Olympic boxer Mary Spencer has fond memories of North American Indigenous Games
TORONTO — Every time Mary Spencer looks at her ankle, she’s reminded of what she calls one of the most important events of her sporting career.
It’s not the London Olympics, where she represented Canada in boxing, or the Pan American Games, where she won gold. She’s referring to the North American Indigenous Games, where she played basketball for Ontario in 2002.
Spencer and some of her teammates got tattoos together at the Winnipeg Games 15 years ago. When she sees the feather on her ankle now, she remembers how NAIG was a life-changing experience and the lasting bonds she formed there.
“When I got there, the blend of sport and culture just blew me away,” said Spencer, who had only travelled around southwestern Ontario with her club basketball team before going to Winnipeg. “I’d never really blended the two worlds before that league and then to go to NAIG that is so rich in colour, was just incredible. It really just blew me away.”