Olympic Torch To Visit Regina, First Nations
Friday, January 08, 2010 at 13:37
The Olympic flame is making several stops in Saskatchewan over the next few days.
One of the torch runners, Callie Morris, says she is honoured to be lighting the community cauldron in Regina on Saturday.
The George Gordon First Nation member has participated in sports since the age of five, but she says that’s not all that contributed to her being selected as a torch runner.
Morris also says you never know who will notice your accomplishments.
“Just keep involved with your sports, do good in school, just stay out of trouble, and then good things like this could happen,” she says.
Morris is a first year student at the University of Regina, and is active in hockey and baseball.
Meanwhile, the Saulteaux and Moosomin First Nations are excited to have the Olympic torch come through their communities next Tuesday.
One of the organizers, Tony Night, says a day-long celebration has been planned, including a morning pipe ceremony and a mini talent show.
Moosomin Chief Danny Blackstar and Saulteaux Chief Kenny Moccasin are also scheduled to speak.
The torch arrives at 3:30 p.m., and elders will bless it before the run begins.
Moosomin First Nation’s Cody Kahpeaysewat will carry it the first 300 meters, and Tashynna Tipewan from the Saulteaux band will carry it for the second 300 meters.
Night says the community is thrilled to have the Olympic torch coming through the area.
“Pretty excited, and we’re very wound up…. It’s a one-time thing coming through our community, and so we’ve been working very hard to make sure we have a good celebration,” he says.
The torch will be carried back to the Saulteaux and Moosomin First Nations, and each community will have a supper in honor of the occasion.
For Cody Kahpeaysewat, carrying the torch will be one of the biggest moments of his life.
Kahpeaysewat says he is very pleased to be asked to carry the torch.
“I feel excited, honoured, because I’ve been chosen by my community,” he says.
Kahpeaysewat is a 24-year-old soccer player.
He’s so good, he has a tryout later this month with the Montreal Impact professional soccer team.
Two years ago, he was invited to soccer tryouts in Uruguay, South America, and finished 29th out of 48 participants.