TORONTO 2017 NAIG: DAY 4 ROUNDUP

TORONTO 2017 NAIG – Toronto, ON – July 20, 2017 – One of the youngest competitors in the field, golfer Ryan Blair of Team Manitoba provided one of the highlights of Day 4 at the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games thanks to his one-stroke victory in the boys 17-and-under tournament.  
 
The 13-year-old phenom from the Fisher River Cree Nation, who last year participated in the prestigious Drive Chip Putt competition at the legendary Augusta National Golf Course, shot even par in the third and final round on Thursday – following a spectacular round of 69 on Wednesday – to edge Jamozzy Skenandore of Team Wisconsin.
 
Other NAIG champions crowned on the final day of the golf competition included Deanne Whenham of Team Northwest Territories (girls 17U), Jillane Bearhead of Team Alberta (girls 19U) and Alexander Webber of Team British Columbia (boys 19U).
 
Overall, it was another busy day at the Toronto 2017 NAIG with 13 of 14 sports in action, including the end of canoe/kayak and rifle shooting competition.
 
On the cultural side, it was another exciting night at the York University and McMaster University Cultural Festivals. Tonight’s performances featured award-winning Indigenous artists Shibastik, Midnight Shine, Cris Derksen and Tanya Tagaq.
 
The Toronto 2017 NAIG continues until Saturday and wraps-up in the evening with the closing ceremony on the York campus.
 
QUOTES OF THE DAY:

“It’s been a great experience. It’s my first time competing at the North American Indigenous Games. It’s definitely one of the best experiences of my life.”
 
– Jose Guzman, Team Wisconsin, gold medallist in athletics (400m 19U boys)
 
“It’s really good. It’s my second medal here at these Games. I went to NAIG in 2014 and I got six gold medals there. I was trying to get the gold back, but there is good competition. I lost to an amazing runner.”
 
– Taryn McKenzie, Team Saskatchewan, silver medallist in athletics (400m 19U girls)
 
 
“For me it’s just completely exciting to see young people competing. We have kids pushing themselves beyond what they’ve pushed themselves before. Kids from totally different places, totally different backgrounds having a chance to be together. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity.”
 
– Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
 
“Part of the key to being a good solid citizen is having confidence in yourself. They are winners by being here. They can go forth in their life with great confidence to know that if they set their minds to do something, whether that is sports, educational pursuits or career opportunities they can make things happen.”
 
– Grand Chief Patrick Madahbee, Board of Directors, Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society
 
IN ACTION ON THURSDAY, JULY 20 (DAY 4): 
           

• 3D archery
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Canoe / Kayak
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Rifle Shooting
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Volleyball

 
COMING UP ON FRIDAY, JULY 21 (DAY 5):

• Athletics
• Badminton
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Volleyball

COMING UP FRIDAY JULY 21  
LIVE STREAMING ON FRIDAY, JULY 21 (CBCSports.ca):

• 9:00 AM Men’s Lacrosse (U16 final)
• 9:00 AM Women’s Lacrosse (U19 final)
• 5:00 PM Men’s Soccer (U16 final)
• 5:00 PM Women’s Soccer (U19 final)
• 6:00 PM Men’s Basketball (U19 final)
• 6:00 PM Women’s Basketball (U19 final)

IMPORTANT LINKS

• http://naig2017.to/en/culture/cultural-festival/

TORONTO 2017 NAIG SOCIAL MEDIA

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