Carson Roche has been one of the busiest people in Yellowknife these last few weeks. Just ask him.

On Wednesday afternoon, the events manager at the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT was putting the finishing touches on the inaugural Indigenous Summer Games, which kick off Thursday morning at St. PatSA国际影视传媒檚 High School.

Athletes and participants are expected to make the trip in from Alaska, Yukon and Nunavut, in addition to those from host NWT.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been a few crazy last few days,SA国际影视传媒� said Roche on Tuesday afternoon. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e had about 50 calls for this and that, making sure we keep on top of things. We have the officials that have come in, athletes arriving and confirming their sports. If ISA国际影视传媒檓 not doing something for 10 minutes, there has to be something I can be doing.SA国际影视传媒�

The event was officially launched this past January with the idea coming from Shawna McLeod, the Sports CircleSA国际影视传媒檚 then-community development manager, following her trip to the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (WEIO) in Alaska, one of the largest traditional games events in the world, to see how that event is run.

In talking about the launch of the Indigenous Summer Games in January, Roche said the event is designed as a way for those who are interested in traditional games to keep competing after aging out of the Traditional Games Championships, which is only open to those from 10 to 12 years.

SA国际影视传媒淔or the kids who turn 13 or 14 after the Traditional Games Championships, we want to let them know that there will be something for them,SA国际影视传媒� he said at the time. SA国际影视传媒淭he championships have been a huge success, but they fall in love with it and then they have nothing except the Arctic Winter Games. We want to give them a chance to compete beyond that.SA国际影视传媒�

The four-day event will feature a mixture of Northern and Dene games with cultural performances scheduled for each of the four evenings. A cultural market will also be open on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. in conjunction with NWT Arts. Athletes will start registering on Thursday morning at 9 a.m. with the ring toss kicking off the sport competition on the outdoor turf at St. PatSA国际影视传媒檚 at 11 a.m.

ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 followed by the triple jump at 1 p.m. indoors, Dene wrestling takes place outdoors at 3 p.m. and the swing kick indoors at 5 p.m. The official opening ceremony will start outdoors at 7 p.m.

The opening was to include a feeding of the fire, but Roche said the current fire ban in the city forced that to be cancelled.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were supposed to have a tea boiling event, but thatSA国际影视传媒檚 off, too, because of the ban,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

There was a meeting planned for Wednesday afternoon to go over all the details, including how to replace the events affected by the fire ban, he added.

SA国际影视传媒淭he judges and officials know what theySA国际影视传媒檙e doing, theySA国际影视传媒檝e done this many times,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 just hoping the opening ceremony will go well.SA国际影视传媒�

Once the action is done on Friday, the Tetlit GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Jiggers and Paulatuk Dummers and Dancers will put on a show at 7 p.m. Saturday evening will feature a cultural gala hosted by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) at 7 p.m., with a fashion show being the main event that evening. Sunday will feature the medal presentations and closing ceremonies starting at 4 p.m.

Byron Kotokak will be one of those who will be competing. HeSA国际影视传媒檒l be taking part in events on Friday and Saturday and he said heSA国际影视传媒檚 excited to be part of the first-ever event.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e been looking forward to it ever since Carson brought up the idea,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 know ISA国际影视传媒檒l be missing a few events but I know ISA国际影视传媒檒l be doing the airplane, the one-foot high kick and ISA国际影视传媒檓 looking forward to doing some of the Dene games, especially the archery and the axe-throw.SA国际影视传媒�

The plan for the event is to host it biennially in the off-Arctic Winter Games years, said Roche, so athletes can have a chance to play when they arenSA国际影视传媒檛 training for the Games.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey can do the Arctic Winter Games and then we can get them competing in this event,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 great for traditional sports because now thereSA国际影视传媒檚 another option for those who want to stay with it. ISA国际影视传媒檓 hoping it will be the first of many and we have everyone come out and take part. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 open to anyone, no matter your background. If you want to join, youSA国际影视传媒檙e welcome.SA国际影视传媒�

Kotokak has no doubt that this will become one of the big sporting events in the North.

SA国际影视传媒淚 can see this going a long way,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淔or some of the older guys who still like to compete, this is perfect to help keep their traditional knowledge and history alive. ItSA国际影视传媒檒l be memorable for a lot of people, for sure.SA国际影视传媒�