The sacred tradition of the lance run came through Prince Albert on Tuesday.
A total of 19 runners, including 10 from James Smith Cree Nation, are travelling on foot from Saskatoon to La Ronge to clear a path for First Nation athletes to the Tony Cote Summer Games.
Chief Kirby Constant of JSCN said that the run was going according to plan on Tuesday.
“So far so good. We have had if the if the land stops, that’s where we stopped for the day. And so far we’re still going according to plan,”
On Monday before setting off from Gordie Howe Sports Complex, the runners took part in a pipe ceremony and were provided a smudge and some words from James Burns, an Elder from JSCN to start the run off in a good way according to Constant. During their stop overnight in Rosthern, Chief Janine Baldhead from One Arrow First Nation supplied a meal and entertainment.
“We’re very thankful for that. All that they’ve done for us and all the athletes, all the runners were very thankful,” Constant said.
Traveling up Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert were nearly a dozen vehicles following the runners.
“They have their amber flashing lights on just to alert the traffic because we’re not being escorted by Police on the highway but through the jurisdictions. Prince Albert, Saskatoon, we did have the police escorts,” Constant said.
“Going into La Ronge will also have another police escort. Once we get closer to La Ronge on Saturday and Sunday. So we’ll have that. And just to keep the runner safe, right, and we don’t want any incidents to happen,” Constant said.
“That’s our main focus is to keep them safe, to keep them hydrated, to keep them their nutrition needs well taken care of while we’re on this run,” Constant said.
Constant explained that he hopes that the runners can create lifelong friendships. He said that runners were learning about each other’s culture and humour.
“So seeing these kids and seeing them laughing with each other, it’s really heartwarming knowing that they’re going to take this away and then they’re going to learn that they’re going to have these friendships not just for like for the summer, but for a lifetime,” Constant said.
James Smith hosted the games in Saskatoon in July 2022. As the last community to host the games, they are tasked with clearing the path to the next host community. The youth will run and walk with the lance almost 400 kilometers to Treaty 8 territory, where the Lac La Ronge Indian Band has prepared venues for the games.
Constant himself is taking advantage to have dialogue with Chief Tammy Cook-Searson. The goal of to make it so the runners and coordinators have nothing to worry about.
“My hope for them is that they have this pride, this courage and hopefully in their path that they can take it along and they can utilize that,’ hey, this is what I’ve done, I can do more.“ Constant said.
He hopes that runners can take the lessons onto their family life and spiritual life.
“It’s a hard run. It’s also knowing that they can do things stepping out of their comfort zones and actually running, and which is a lot of them are not full time runners.”
He explained that one important aspect of the run is learning protocols around parts like the pipe ceremonies.
“They’re learning as well. So I’m learning as well. I hope it takes them further in life and that’s my hope for them,” Constant said.
Runners included 11-year-old Cassadee Charles, Renee McKenzie and Danica Roberts from La Ronge as well as FSIN Youth Chief Semiah Cote.
Cote said that the run has been going well but she has also been learning on the way.
“It’s really good, praying every time I’m on the lance. I was just always thinking about my loved ones and thinking about the youth too. I prayed for them,” Cote said.
She added that it also helping to make all of the young girls strong.
“I’ve learned to put myself out there, don’t be afraid to talk to new people and make friends with the good we got a good team going right now and we’re all bonding and telling jokes,” Cote said.
Cote explained that they have been playing games like Pictionary, I Spy and a warrior call challenge.
“So who has the best call so far is me,” Cote said.
They are also learning about the protocol around the lance.
“So just learning to just let down my guard and just have fun, but also know why I’m here, to pray and to make sure that this lance gets there and we’re doing it all in a good way and following that protocol too.
Charles said she learned you cannot look back when holding the lance as part of the protocols.
“I have never been (to) a run before where you can’t stop running and look back and that you have to pray,” Charles said.
Constant explained that once the lance starts in the morning it cannot stop and runners cannot look back when they hold it and must always carry it in their right hand
“ For the runners to pick these up right away and have no incidents is pretty remarkable,”
Constant said runners could be easily distracted but they have all kept their focus on the journey and he hopes it carries on with each runner.
He said that the James Smith contingent has had a sweat with the LLRIB contingent and are passing on the knowledge about the protocols about the Lance.
“So they’re learning as well. So when they when they go and give the lance to the next host. They’ll have all this knowledge, and knowing what to expect and what to plan for so it can continue on for the next games,”
Constant said he wanted travelers to be aware as the run continues to La Ronge over the next six days.
“I know it may cause an inconvenience to some, but we’re also hoping that this is our way of our ancestors did this a while back,” Constant said.
He explained that the Lance was setting the path for the Tony Cote Summer Games and acting as scouts ahead for La Ronge.
“We’re smudging as we go, clearing the path, making sure everything’s safe and that’s our culture, our heritage, and that’s where the significance of the Lance Run is to signify the scouts and makes sure everybody is safe. So when people from all over Saskatchewan goes up north to for the for the games. We’ve already laid that path for them to have a safe journey as well,” Constant said.
The Lac La Ronge Indian Band will play host to the multi-sport event from August 10 – 16. The public is encouraged to visit their website for information on events: 2024tonycotesummergames.ca/calendar-of-events/
First Nation athletes will compete in seven different sports, including athletics, archery, beach volleyball, canoe and kayak, golf, soccer, and softball. Those born between 2007 to 2012 are eligible to compete and are grouped into age categories 13 and under, 15 and under, and 17 and under.
The Cote First Nation Chief, Tony Cote, and his band council started the tradition of the games in 1974.
Lac La Ronge runners include Cassadee Charles, Danica Roberts, Joe Cook, Dominic McKenzie-Charles, Renee McKenzie and Eva Charles. James Smith runners include Aiden Sanderson, Alexi Sanderson, Avayda Sanderson, Nolan Sanderson, Darnell Brittain, Antoine Brittain, Emery Sanderson, John Sanderson, Drecyn Head, Laryn Constant
FSIN support includes FSIN Vice-chief Craig McCallum, Youth Chief Semiah Cote.
