The annual Tlu-Piich Games kick off Tuesday, Aug. 11 in Port Alberni with track and field events and opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. at Bob Dailey Stadium, and a culture night at 7 p.m. at the Port Alberni Friendship Centre.
The Tlu-Piich Games “brings families together, celebrates youth and promotes healthy living,” Games coordinator Marissa Bennett says. She anticipates at least 2,000 athletes and spectators will attend from Tseshaht, Hupacasath, Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht, Ahousaht, Uchucklesaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Ucluelet, Mowachaht/ Muchalat, Pacheedaht of Port Renfrew and Snuneymuxw of Nanaimo.
Photo courtesy www.hashilthsa.com
Running events—track and field—have long been popular with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Tlu-piich Games.
The theme this year celebrates Nuu-chah-nulth youth. “This year the Games will focus on providing positive experiences for our youth in various sporting competitions and instructive sporting clinics that bring families together,” Bennett said.
Spectators are welcome at any of the sporting events and others such as the free movie night Aug. 12 at Bob Dailey Stadium.
This year, more traditional and language games will be offered, she added. On Friday, Aug. 14 the Tlu-Piich Games is putting on a free family picnic at Williamson Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Join us and Scotiabank...to learn some traditional games, enter a team into the Nuu-chah-nulth Language Treasure Hunt and play a fun game of Lahal at Williamson Park.”
An important part of the Games is the Sports Hall of Fame, where family members can nominate people who are or were well-rounded athletes. Newest members will be announced at the opening ceremonies. “It gets pretty emotional,” Bennett said.
Photos of past winners will be hung in the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) office.
“On behalf of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council we would like to thank the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations for allowing the 2015 Tlu-Piich Games to occur within their territories,” NTC president Debra Foxcroft and vice-president Ken Watts wrote in a joint statement.
Follow the Games on Facebook page, Nuuchahnulth Tlupiich Games.