Coach Inspires Local Youths for Indigenous Games

Five young athletes from Renfrew County, Ont., who are set to participate in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) next week say their exciting journey wouldn’t have happened without their enthusiastic and committed coach, Gerry Benoit.

Twin brothers John and Mark Baillie from Lake Clear, Ont., will be taking part in track and field after Benoit motivated them to try out.

“He’s an awesome person,” said Mark Baillie. “Every time I’ve talked to him he always puts a smile on my face and makes everything seem exciting.”

“He makes it seem like it’s the best thing in the world,” added John Baillie.

Mark Baillie, 15, of Whitewater Region, Ont., credits coach Benoit for his chance to represent Team Ontario at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)

Their mother Julie Baillie describes Benoit as a champion for bringing not just her 15-year-old sons into the fold but also three other local athletes who might not have thought about trying out for Team Ontario otherwise.

“Energy just bursts out of him and you get excited before you even really know what you’re signing up for,” she said.

Victoria Bergeron says were it not for Benoit she never would have thought of competing in badminton at NAIG, where she’s also looking forward to celebrating her Ojibway and Cree heritage. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)

NAIG occurs every three years but this is the first one since 2017 due to cancellations from COVID. The event will take place July 16-23 in and around Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, Millbrook First Nation, and Sipekne’katik, which is Mi’kmaq territory in Nova Scotia.

Youth athletes from over 750 nations will join together across 16 sports such as canoe/kayak, archery, lacrosse, basketball, and badminton-an event that 17-year-old Victoria Bergeron is eager to compete in thanks again to coach Benoit.

“He’s such an incredible coach and I’ve been so lucky to learn under him because he’s a great support,” said Bergeron.

Nolan Costello will be competing as part of Team Ontario’s U19 boys basketball team at NAIG. ‘I owe everything from this to Gerry Benoit,’ says Costello. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)

Benoit himself remains modest despite all the praise coming his way from both his athletes and their parents.

“I’m just a small step in their journey; I’m a connection piece for this,” said Benoit. “It’s not about what you can get; it’s about what you can give back.”

Benoit’s involvement with NAIG goes beyond recruiting informally in Renfrew County-he’s also the head coach of Team Ontario’s U14 boys basketball team.

“I do it because of my passion for sport, and I like to throw seeds and watch trees grow, so to speak,” he explained.

Lena Costello credits Benoit with training and encouraging her to try out for Team Ontario’s U16 girls basketball team for the upcoming North American Indigenous Games. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)

More Than Just Sports

Sometimes referred to as “The Indigenous Olympics,” NAIG is also a cultural celebration where Indigenous food, art, music, dance, and fashion are shared among attendees.

Siblings Nolan, 17, and Lena ,14, Costello from Whitewater Region are going there for basketball but express excitement about diving deeper into Indigenous culture during their time there.

“It’s a special moment for me because it’s part of my Métis heritage-part of who I am,” said Nolan Costello. “I get to share that experience with other people along with my sister while celebrating my history.”

Bergeron’s family moved from Little Grand Rapids First Nation in Manitoba to White Water Region-a shift that has sometimes made it tough for her to celebrate her Ojibway and Cree roots.

“Living in a community that’s rather smaller without much diversity or representation means so much; it’s a way to be proud of who you are,” said Bergeron.Julie Baillie and her twin sons John and Mark say participating at NAIG helps in their family’s journey to reconnect with the Indigenous culture. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)

For the Baillies joining NAIG represents another milestone on their path toward reconnecting with their Indigenous roots.
Julie shares how her grandmother left Batchewana First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie over concerns related to residential schools-and how both she and her mother felt some stigma regarding their ancestry through many years.
However recently they’ve reclaimed those roots together; now John and Mark are enrolled in language classes while getting ready to compete at NAIG.

“It’s just so unique,” Julie Baillie remarked.”They’re going to meet Indigenous folks from all around the world-which really broadens horizons! This holds such spiritual meaning-it’s incredible watching them change through all this-my grandmother would definitely be smiling down upon us.”

“I’m happy going there representing my grandma along with my mom,” added John Baillie.

A Coach’s Pride on Display

Dressed proudly when broadcasting live during opening ceremony July sixteen-you shouldn’t miss spotting Benoit within Team Ontario group!

The coach states he’ll be waving his flag representing Algonquins Pikwakanagan First Nation proudly!

“It’s connection filled pride!” says Benoit.”You know everything will turn alright knowing others share similar culture facing same circumstances.”

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