Lance Run preparations begin with traditional healing camp

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“We held ceremony out there for four days every morning, then we did our team building activities to get to know one another like fishing, tubing, water volleyball, sandcastle building. Every night, we also did our circles to get to know one another on a personal level as well.”

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The healing camp went well, Bird said, with some of the athletes telling him they wish they could stay longer. It was the first time some of them had attended a camp like that or spent time on Lac La Ronge, so the experience was rather special.

The Lance Run will officially begin July 15 at about 11 a.m. The runners will be given a sendoff during the annual Family Wellness Gathering at the urban reserve in La Ronge.

Bird noted it is up to the youth themselves how far they will carry the lance, but he added they have a goal of running at least 50 kilometers each day in order to arrive for the opening ceremony of the Tony Cote Summer Games on July 26. The LLRIB is transporting the lance because they were the host nation of the Games in 2024.

“It’s a very big honour for our nation as a whole, especially with it being the 150th year of the signing of Treaty 6,” Bird said.

The Tony Cote Summer Games is a major event held every two years. It brings together thousands of athletes, families and visitors for nearly a week of sports.

The 2026 Games are being hosted by the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs. There will be competitions in archery, athletics, beach volleyball, canoe/kayak, golf, soccer and softball.

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com