N.B. Indian Summer Games wrap in Eel Ground First Nation

Eel Ground First Nation, near Miramichi, welcomed 1,200 children and their families from 11 Mi'kmaqand Maliseetcommunitiesto participate in the New Brunswick Indian Summer Games fora successful two week event.

The community raised $70,000 through special dinners and fundraisers, and received $20,000 in funding from the provincial government to hold the Games.

"Our first fundraiser was at Christmas a turkey dinner. We had donations of turkey, food, anything from the community. We made over $3,000 in that one day," said organizer Calvin Simonson.

The Indian Summer Games alternate between several communities one yearhosted by a Mi'kmaq community such asEel Ground, and the nextby a Maliseet community.

I'm here every year and it's amazing.- Gracie Montefrisco, St. Mary's First Nation

Simonson describes the games as "a lovely time" for the participating children, who range in age from as young asfive all the way up to19.

"Those kids are meeting friends from other communities lifelong friends," said Simonson.

The first week of competition took place at a track in Miramichi, while the second week focused more on team sports and traditional skills.

"There's badminton, soccer today, baseball today, archery's in the gym, ball hockey was in the civic centre inMiramichi, we have canoeing down the road in the river," said Simonson on Friday.

"The whole community's happy. I've never had so many handshakes in one week!"

Gracie Montefriscoof St Mary's First Nation,near Fredericton, looks forward to the Games all year long.

"I'm here every year and it's amazing," she said.

"It's actually pretty fun because I know everybody."

She also made new friends from other First Nations communities.

"It gives us a chance to get out and go camping and go tenting and do our little family thing and then have some team-building and skills," said Gracie's father, Roger Montefrisco

"I think it's amazing for the community."