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Six Nations continues to support upcoming Canada Summer Games, MCFN steps back

Canada Summer Games 2022 logo. Three different shades of blue vertically alligned representing a waterfall infront of a white backdrop.
Six Nations Elected Council will continue to fund the Canada Summer Games, bringing the total to $36,000 after additional funds were needed after The Mississauga's of the Credit First Nation announced they would no longer be supporting the 2022 games. Photo Courtesy of Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games' Facebook Page.
Andrew Dow - CJKS - Ohsweken • ON | 04-08-2022
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Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is choosing to continue support for the Canada Summer Games, set to begin Aug. 6, despite The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) stepping back from the event.

At the July 18 SNEC general finance meeting, Chief Mark Hill presented the opportunity that council has to continue their financial support for the games that are set to be held in the Niagara region beginning this week.

The opportunity that was approved by SNEC was a $20,000 request from Kevin Sandy, a member of the Canada Games Indigenous Partnership Council, to continue to fund and include more cultural programming and sports activation including highlighting lacrosse at the Canada Games. Lacrosse will be returning to the summer games for the first time since 1985.This announcement comes after The MCFN announced in a letter signed by Chief R. Stacey Laforme that the MCFN will be removing its name, logo and all support for the Canada Summer Games, citing a lack of respect and “lateral violence.”

Hill explained to council members that Six Nations had not experienced the same claims that the MCFN claimed they experienced. 

“We didn't experience the same things that the MCFN had experienced: in fact, we were there to collaborate and partner as equally and as much as we can at Six Nations with the other communities still at the table.” 

“Our experience has been we’ve been there as an equal partner since day one wanting to bring forward as much as we can from Six Nations," he added. "And so Kevin and I have had this discussion and want to keep moving this forward as best as we can as we have not experienced any lateral violence at the table.” 

Coun. Melba Thomas reiterated Chief Hill’s remarks saying she strongly agrees with the work being done on the cultural side of the games to ensure Six Nations will be well represented. 

“I think its very unfortunate that MCFN isn't taking part, but, as Hill said, we’re going to move forward, and I think it’s very important what Kevin (Sandy) is doing and how he’s involving the culture, not only the sports piece of it but also the dancing and singing, I think that's really important.”

Opening ceremonies for the Canada Summer Games will take place Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. at the Meridian Centre in St. Catherines.

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