Students Demonstrate Athletic Skill at the Second Annual Track & Field Meet

The Manitoba First Nations School System held its second annual Track & Field Meet on May 30 and 31. The event, hosted by Ginew School, included the long jump, high jump, 100/400/800-metre races, and lots of laughter. Over 100 student-athletes came from Bloodvein, Lake St. Martin, Lake Manitoba, Dakota Plains, Brokenhead, Keeseekoowenin, and Pinaymootang to join the students from Roseau River First Nation.

During the meet, kids were running, jumping, and throwing and also stretching, limbering up, and lying under tents to recuperate and shade themselves from the plus 20, sunny weather. The high jumpers had the whole gym in silent anticipation as the bar continued to get higher and higher, demanding some serious skill to maneuver over without tipping the bar off the poles.

Everyone seemed happy at the event: those competing and those on the sidelines cheering on fellow athletes. Students summed up the meet with comments such as “I had fun” and “I ran as fast as I could.”

Chief Craig Alexander gave his closing remarks on the importance of sport and skill development. “This is about a healthy lifestyle, and we hope you take these values and skills that come from learning sports home with you today.”

Benefits from sport and physical activity include confidence, health, respect, and teamwork, which were evident in the kids at the Track & Field Meet.

We congratulate the students for their athleticism, sportsmanship, and school pride and look forward to next year’s event!