Alexandra Nelson was one of many local athletes who returned with a medal from the NAIG in Halifax. Nelson was part of the female 19U box lacrosse that won the gold medal. (Alexandra Nelson)

By Dan Marshall

NAIG Medals

Local athletes shine brightly at NAIG in Halifax

Aug 7, 2023 | 5:55 AM

NANAIMO — Mid-island competitors including many from the Snuneymuxw First Nation performed very well at the North American Indigenous games July 15-23.

Local athletes brought home medals in team sports like box lacrosse and basketball as well as individual sports like canoe/kayak and swimming.

Alexandra Nelson who won gold in female 19U box lacrosse said the event was special right from the opening ceremonies.

“I was such an unreal experience for me. Not only did we have teams of 500 from Canada but we also had some teams from the United States. We had indigenous artists perform and during the week everything was available to us from smudging to prayers. It was such a great event to connect with our culture.”

Nelson’s gold medal winning team beat Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in the round robin.

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In the semi finals BC defeated Manitoba and earned a hard fought 10-8 victory over Ontario in the final.

Team BC also won silver in the 19U box lacrosse category with Nanaimo’s Jayden Joseph Oscar Thomas suiting up for the squad.

In other team sports at the games Nanaimo’s Cassius Robinson took bronze in 14U basketball, Danya Harris from Ladysmith earned bronze in 19U soccer and Brynn Hawes of Ladysmith captured a bronze in 16U softball.

In canoe/kayak Jacob James Seward had two golds, a silver and a bronze medal in the 16U category while Al Wyse picked up a gold and a bronze in 19U racing.

Kelana Cottrell excelled in the pool with two gold and five silver medals.

At age 12 she was part of a silver medal winning relay team with other athletes who were competing one age bracket higher in the 16U category.

Nanaimo’s Griffin Nielsen-Sendey also had strong individual results in swimming with one gold, one silver and two bronze medal finishes.

The games were about more than athletics with Nelson pointing out she came back from the NAIG with new friends from all across the country.

“Everything from Day 1 to the last day was unforgettable. There were lifelong friends I made during that week. Once the tournament was over on that last night we had Team BC, Team Manitoba, Team Saskatchewan and Team Alberta in hotel hallways trading off our gear. We had girls getting their jerseys signed by other teams, it was such a cool experience.”

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