On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous adults reclaim youth through sports

It's been about 20 years since Sheila Grandbois last competed in track and field events, but an Indigenous sports tournament is giving adults like her the chance to relive their glory days.

Grandbois is competing in shot put, discus and javelin — and hopes to finish in the top three — at the first ever Masters Alberta Indigenous Games, held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at various sites in Edmonton.

Nearly 2,000 adults aged 21 to 100 will join her, competing in a variety of sports like softball, volleyball, basketball, archery, hand games, soccer, golf and track and field.

Participants have eagerly awaited the inaugural games.

"Oh, my God, I was so excited for this; it makes me feel young again," said Grandbois, 48, who is Cree from Goodfish Lake, Alta., and Dene from Cold Lake, Alta.

Much like the Alberta Indigenous Games, held from Aug. 9 to 19 for youth aged nine to 21, the Masters tournament is open to all skill levels, according to CEO Jake Hendy. 

He said he was inspired to set up games for adults after watching youth age out of the original games. 

"They're now gonna be able to continue to be part of our game and their parents are gonna be able to be part of it," said Hendy.

It also gives adults who never got to compete as kids the "chance to play the sports they wanted in a safe environment with their family and their loved ones," he said. 

In addition to competing, Grandbois — along with her four daughters — also took time to volunteer at the Masters volleyball tournament. 

Her daughter, Yndes, organized the volleyball games and said 32 teams in four different age categories competed in the sport, including players from across Alberta and as far away as Ontario. 

Veronica Headley, a member of Yellow Quill First Nation