It was a homecoming that won鈥檛 soon be forgotten.
Lila Mae Nicholas and Rayann Squakin were welcomed back home to the Penticton Indian Band with roars and cheers on Tuesday evening, July 25, after winning gold medals for Team BC at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games in Halifax. The pair played on the U19 girls鈥� lacrosse team.
Preston Gabriel was also honoured for representing PIB at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Winnipeg in May.
The trio arrived at the PIB Hall at around 6:30 p.m., where they were greeted by elected officials and members of the community. Tuesday鈥檚 gathering was marked with gifts, speeches and celebratory singing.
PIB Chief Greg Gabriel said it was important to organize the event and show the athletes that they鈥檝e made many people proud.
鈥淲e are so proud of what you鈥檝e done and what you鈥檝e accomplished on the other side of the country in representing our community,鈥� he said to the trio during Tuesday鈥檚 celebration. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e brought back such pride and honour.鈥�
Nicholas and Squakin were two of the 19 female lacrosse players to head east and represent B.C. at the games.
The pair helped the province not only defeat Team Ontario in the gold medal game but also finish the tournament undefeated.
鈥淭hey played with so much passion and we couldn鈥檛 be more proud,鈥� said Penni King, a Penticton resident and Team BC鈥檚 lacrosse manager at the North American Indigenous Games.
King, who鈥檚 been involved with the Penticton Minor Lacrosse Association for 18 years, said that although the local athletes have only played the sport for two years, they were eager to learn and proud to represent their community.
The team鈥檚 manager, along with the two lacrosse athletes, got word before leaving Halifax that the community was planning a 鈥渨elcome home鈥� gathering in celebration of Team BC鈥檚 gold medal.
鈥淚t was a great way to celebrate the girls and I hope other communities do the same,鈥� King said. 鈥淚t makes my heart full鈥ust amazing.鈥�
B.C. finished the Halifax-hosted games with 159 medals, only behind Saskatchewan鈥檚 176.
With 16 sports on display, the games involved a total of 750 First Nations across Canada and the United States.
The event ran from July 16 to 23.
READ MORE: North Okanagan athletes lift B.C. at Indigenous Games
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