Dalton Lewis (left) and Curtis Roote (centre) of Saugeen First Nation at the Master Indigenous Games, held in Toronto this July. Photo submitted

Hub Staff

The Master Indigenous Games (MIG) saw three competitors from Saugeen First Nation medal in their various sports in Toronto this July. Natasha George, 31, who played for the Salish Nation Rebels for Women's Fastball, received a bronze medal. Dalton Lewis, 24, played for the Turtle Island Men's Basketball team and was one of the lead scorers and also received a team bronze. And Curtis Roote, 24, received six gold and one bronze medal in Mens 20-34 track events.

Roote’s Gold medal times were: 100m - 12.16, 200m - 25.45, 400m - 59.68, 1500m- 5:29.88, 3000m - 14:39.39, 5000m - 27:28.08 and his bronze winning time was in the 800m - 2:58.59.

The MIG was open to Indigenous athletes and featured a mix of competitors from across Turtle Island (North America).

Roote who had a short time to prepare after receiving a baseball injury earlier this season said he is always grateful to represent Saugeen First Nation. “I actually got a lot of support from those back home through social media as well as some family and relatives who showed up on the final day to cheer everyone on,” he said.

The runner said training and competing in the Master Indigenous Games brought back memories for him. “I haven't ran track since public school so I really wasn't sure how I was going to do but it's always nice to find an excuse to get up and start training," he said.

Roote said that initially he had only planned on doing the shorter running events at MIG and admitted to being “exhausted” before running his 100m where he was quite satisfied to receive the time of 12.16 seconds.

The Games was also great for coming together. “The atmosphere was my favourite and most memorable part at MIG. It doesn't matter how far or close my people came from, we all got along with one another while sharing some good laughs with our humour that seems to be the same across Canada. I met up with some old friends and made some new ones, one in particular was Daniel Samantha from Dene Tha First Nation, Alberta, who was my greatest competition in all eight events.”

Roote was happy to reunite with Justin Holness, someone he hadn't seen in seven years. Holness is the founder of UN!TY Entertainment, Manager of TR1BE Music and acted as spokesperson for the awards ceremonies. “At the end of the day, I was quite proud to see my people and their hard work paying off at the awards ceremony in various sports events and afterwards we were spoiled with an outdoor concert by Crystal Shawanda," he said.

Roote is already vying for the 2021 Master Indigenous Games and joked that he hopes to stay in shape to try and beat his previous times. When asked what he plans to do with his medals he said, “I'll likely hang them up in my room to remind myself to get off my butt because there's work to be done for the next meet.”

Curtis Roote (left) with new friend Daniel Samantha from Dene Tha First Nation, Alberta. Roote said Samantha was his greatest competitor at the Master Indigenous Games in Toronto this July. Photo submitted

Curtis Roote (in white) representing Saugeen First Nation at the Master Indigenous Games this July in Toronto. Roote won seven medals, six gold and one bronze, in track events. Photo submitted

Curtis Roote and Justin Holness during the Master Indigenous Games closing ceremonies in Toronto. Photo submitted

Saugeen First Nation's Curtis Roote claimed six gold and one bronze medal at the Master Indigenous Games in Toronto this July. Photo submitted