Two St. Albert athletes are primed to represent Alberta on the international stage during the July 15-23 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax.
Aiden Paterson, an 18-year-old senior at Paul Kane High School, and his younger sister Gabby Paterson, a tenth-grade Blue, qualified to compete at the Games in track and field.
The multi-talented siblings, who have competed in track and field for six years, will appear in a number of events. Aiden will run in the 200-metre and 400m races, and possibly the 4 X 400 and 4 X 100 relays. Gabby is set to showcase her skills in the 100m, 200m, high jump, and long jump.
For Gabby and Aiden, the journey to the NAIG has been challenging.
The siblings made the NAIG team slated to compete three years ago, but the event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They secured their slots again at the trials held in Edmonton last September by qualifying in the top two spots in their respective events.
"NAIG means a lot to me," Aiden said. "It only happens every few years, and for me, being an older athlete, this is my last chance. Being Indigenous is something that’s special to me. Being able to attend the NAIG, representing my home reserve and my family means a lot. Not many people get this opportunity, so I consider myself privileged."
Gabby echoed her brother's sentiments.
"Being an Indigenous athlete, I think it will be a great honour to represent my family and where I come from through the sport that I love," she said.
The Paterson family athletic prowess doesn't stop with Aiden and Gabby. Their younger brother Roman also qualified for the NAIG but had to decline because of his commitments playing AAA baseball for the St. Albert Cardinals.
The North American Indigenous Games, hosting competitions in 16 sports within 21 venues across Halifax, Dartmouth, and Millbrook First Nation, is more than just a sporting event.
It's a celebration of Indigenous culture that brings together more than 5,000 athletes, coaches, and team staff from over 756 Indigenous Nations. The Games' vision is to improve the quality of life for Indigenous Peoples through sports and cultural activities, aiming to encourage equal access to participation in the community's social, cultural, and spiritual fabric while respecting Indigenous distinctiveness.
As the siblings prepare for the Games, their goals extend beyond the track. Gabby aims "to make new friends and create some great memories.”
Aiden, likewise, has multiple ambitions.
“Winning the events I’m doing is always the goal,” he said. “But the experience of going and getting to know my teammates is my main purpose — and also creating memories, as well as having fun while doing it all.”
