Thousands of athletes participating from 74 Indigenous communities from 10 tribal councils and under a dozen of independent communities are participating in the First Nations Summer Games, hosted by the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC) in Regina.

Two athletes from Team Woodland are taking part in their first summer games. Sadie Bell from Montreal Lake Cree Nation is enjoying her experience so far. Bell is competing with the U12 soccer event with two years of playing the sport.

Sadie Bell from the Montreal Lake Cree Nation has been playing soccer for two years and is experiencing her first First Nations Summer Games in Regina.

“My mom motivates me to play because she used to play sports when she was younger,” she said.

The young athlete will be entering into the 7^th grade in the fall but said she wants to become a professional soccer or hockey athlete when she’s older.

Bell is enjoying her experience in Regina along with her friends and hopes to take home a gold medal. Her message to all competing athletes is to play hard and play fair.

Cody Redman, 11, is also competing in the soccer sporting event. He’s been playing the sport for three years and is glad that he’s given the chance to represent his home community.

“I like that there’s lots of food and drinks and we can camp with our friends,” he said.

Cody Redman from Team Woodland is also a First Nations Summer Games first-timer and is enjoying everything about his experience. Redman is competing in the soccer sporting event and hopes to bring home a gold medal.

Redman looks up to his coach Bobby and the sports coordinator Brent Naytowhow. He said one day he wants to become a professional hockey player.