The 2012 Tlu-piich Games hosted by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council was kicked off in style with the Nuu-chah-nulth Sports Hall of Fame induction of two men who have contributed greatly to athletics in Nuu-chah-nulth territory over many years.
Tom Watts of Tseshaht was a star athlete over six decades, competing in a wide variety of sports, and Wally Samuel of Ahousaht, though still a competitor in his own right, was inducted for his sports building efforts in the Alberni Valley.
The men were awarded plaques and Tlu-piich T-shirts at the opening ceremony of the 30thannual Tlu-piich Games held at Maht Mahs gym on Aug. 7.
Watts was introduced to the crowd of about 200 who gathered for the ceremony by his friend and fellow athlete Denny Grisdale, who is working hard, he said, to have Watts inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Grisdale said Watts was an outstanding selection to the Nuu-chah-nulth Sports Hall of Fame having amassed 400 awards for excellence in such sports as soccer, track, basketball and fastpitch.
Grisdale shared some observations about Watts from a former baseball coach, Bob Lee, who spoke in glowing terms of the Nuu-chah-nulth athlete, saying he had the softest hands of any player. Lee said Watts ran like a deer and if he got on first he would surely steal second and third.
Grisdale said one of the secrets to Watts’ success was that he didn’t drink or smoke. If young athletes want to be successful, Watts would tell them to ‘get rid of that crap’, Grisdale said.
Watts has been honored in many ways for his sports accomplishments, but none more sweet than being named the top athlete in Canada in 1967 when Watts was awarded the Tom Longboat Award.
For more about Tom Longboat go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Longboat
Grisdale said he was at Six Nations in Brantford, Ont. some time back, and there was a photo of Watts displayed right next to Alwyn Morris, the Olympic kayaker.
For more about Alwyn Morris see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alwyn_Morris
Said Watts in response to his induction into the Nuu-chah-nulth Sports Hall of Fame, “You have to grow up with great athletes to be a great athlete.” And in the audience were some of Watts’ sporting contemporaries to help him celebrate this most recent honor.
Ed Samuel spoke to introduce his father Wally. Ed talked about the early years and the travel that he and his family did to attend sporting events to compete. In the 1980s, Wally took a job with the Port Alberni Friendship Centre as the program director and the real sports building began to help kids find an alternative to the street life they were living in the city.
Wally has been organizing sporting events ever since, working to improve the lives of young people one basket or one pitch at a time.
Ed said his father’s involvement in sports came from his heart.
“We love you,” he told his father, who had also last week received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal. “We are proud of you.”
Wally talked about growing up in Ahousaht and being busy every day. He and his pals would organize games and activities and there wasn’t a moment of boredom.
When he came to the city, however, and talked with the kids on the street, he questioned why they weren’t busy too.
“It took a lot of support and ambition to get the youth inspired,” he said of those days working at PAFC.
Wally thanked his children, wife Donna and many friends for their support of his tournament organizing activities.
He would tell his young friends that they could do anything they set their minds to, and warned them not to let anyone tell them differently. He told them if they had ambition and a willingness to participate and be reliable, he would be there for them.
It became a lot of fun for them to do their best, Wally said. They were having fun, were proud of who they are, and where they came from.
Wally had just come back from the Canadian Native Fastpitch Championships where he had fielded a team and found himself playing. He was the oldest player in the tournament.
The opening ceremonies for the 30thannual Tlu-piich Games were emceed by Games Coordinator Richard Samuel.
Tseshaht First Nation provided a welcome song, and Chief Councillor Hugh Braker provided some insight about the early days of the games.
He said it was 32 years ago that the games were first discussed around the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council table. He remembered Ahousaht representatives stating their concern about alcohol and drug use, and the need to offer youth an alternative.
Hesquiaht First Nation talked about the pride the games would bring back to the people.
Late George Watts of Tseshaht said a new direction was required; that it was time to renew a sense of community and pride in the Nuu-chah-nulth nations.
Braker said he believes the games have met the goals of that early vision, bringing pride back, giving youth an alternative through sport and culture, and allowing the opportunity for families from up and down the coast to gather.
Hupacasath’s Chief Councillor Steven Tatoosh greeted people to the games. He said he really enjoyed watching the competition that day, which started with canoe races.
He encouraged people to have a good time and stay safe throughout the week. Tatoosh also thanked the great number of volunteers that will help during the event.
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Cliff Atleo said the week-long event is no different than what the ancestors would take part in, testing skills and speed.
“We have produced many great athletes,” said Atleo. He said we are all keen about the next days of competition.
Games committee representative Jack Cook reminded people about a very important element associated with the Tlu-piich event… that the entire thing is drug and alcohol free. He said the games are for all Nuu-chah-nulth, but particularly the young.
“Let’s all be there and help these kids have a good time.”
Jessica Hamilton, the newly crowned Miss Nuu-chah-nulth, wished everyone a fun and safe games.
“Make the best out of it,” she advised participants.
Her sister Keanna, the 2012 Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Role Model, also wished everyone a good time.
Richard Lucas, one of the first games coordinators, spoke about the early days of the Tlu-piich Games, then known as the Indian Games.
He said Nuu-chah-nulth used to travel to the Victoria Olympiad until funding issues brought that event to a halt. It was then decided to organize something closer to home.
“We felt we needed to keep the Nuu-chah-nulth people together,” Lucas said.
He talked about the great relationship that developed with the city of Port Alberni during those days, and how the hills on the side of the Alberni District Secondary School track were always filled with spectators.
Lucas thanked the current Tlu-piich staff and committee for keeping the games going.
“This is one of the best things for our people,” he said.
Games related stories and photos:
http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/tlu-piich-games-2012-grand-entry-nations
http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/canoe-races-water
http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/tlu-piich-games-2012-canoe-racing
http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2012-08-03/third-annual-golf-tournament-raises-funds-tlu-piich-games
