Lance runners arrive at 2017 Saskatchewan First Nations Summer Games in Regina

After fivedays of running, a group of Indigenous youth carried a lance into Regina, kicking off opening ceremonies forthe 2017 Saskatchewan First Nations Summer Games on Sunday.

Games managerElmer Eashappiesaid the runners set out fromOchapowaceFirst Nation, running a273.5 kilometre journey into the city where the games will be happening fromAug. 6-11.

He said the runners are young people from 12 different First Nations around the province, ages14 to 19.

• Regina hosts 2017 Saskatchewan First Nations Summer Games

Eashappiesaid the lance is seen as a leader's stick.

"These youth are going to be future leaders, no matter what they do in life, so they work as a unit, they eat together, they talk together, they have daily pipe ceremonies, sharing circles, every morning," he said Sunday.

Joining them for the journey were helpers and elders,Eashappiesaid.

The running of the lance from the previous host communityto the next one is a long-standing tradition, he said, comparingit to the passing of the torch prior toOlympic Games.

Made good time

He said the runners were feeling quite "charged." In fact,Eashappiesaid the group made great time, running about 10 kilometres per hour when initially it was expected they would only cover five.

Three of the runners will actually compete in the games as long distance runners, he added.

On Sunday, the lance was carried from Piapot First Nation into the city to arrive at the opening games at Leibel Field for 5:15 p.m. CST.

Eashappie said the runners were covering so much ground that instead of setting off Sunday at 8 a.m., they departed at noon.

The games themselves will see around 3,500 young athletes from 74 First Nations across the province participate. Some of the athletes have also recently returned from competing in the NorthAmerican Indigenous Games.

Tara Griffith, a softball and track coach, said the games help boost athletes' confidence and show them how to work towardgoals.

"They really look forward to these games," she said. "This gives them an opportunity to set some goals, meet new people, have fun."

At the opening ceremonies, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron pumped up the youth.

"You know they say, here in our treaty areas, we have the best athletes.They say we have the most gifted athletes ... and you know what? For once people are saying the truth."

Regina Mayor Michael Fougere and MLA Tina Beaudry-Mellor also said a few words, along with Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde.

"Be energetic, be enthusiastic, be committed to excellence, but always be guided by our seven sacred teachings: truth, honesty, love, respect, courage, humility and wisdom," Bellegarde said.

Historic announcement

Eashappiesaid a historic announcement will be made about the games during Friday's closing ceremonies at the First Nations University.

He wouldn't disclose any details of the announcement, only that it will be big.

"It's going to change the summer games."