About 300 students from schools across Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (SD68) took part in the Indigenous Games competition at John Barsby Secondary School this month. The event was formerly referred to as the Northern Games, but was re-branded as the Indigenous Games this year and infused with Coast Salish games. Among the games played at the competition were Cariboo Carry, Lahal, and Musk Ox. Students from every secondary school in the district participated, according to Nanaimo News Now. “Our whole purpose is to build community, have a good time, and then give students the opportunity to see some different games and participate in them too,” explained John Barsby Indigenous Education Support Teacher Jacob Thom. Snaw-naw-as First Nation Elder Jimmy Bob—who attended the event to cheer on his great-grandson—praised the event for promoting sports and the theme of working together.
