Nipissing First Nation champion paddler inspired by son’s gold medals

By Kelly Anne Smith

NIPISSING FIRST NATION—It’s never too late to get back in to shape thanks to the Masters Indigenous Games. Laura Liberty, Nahwegahbow kwe from the marten clan, is letting people know that if she can do it, anybody can train for the gold.

Liberty won in three canoe races of 4 km at the Masters Indigenous Games that took place July 12-15.

The first one was a solo race.

“I paddled by myself and placed third so that was a bronze. The second race was with a partner, Roxanne Potts from Temagami Bear Island. We placed silver in that race. And the third race was with a mixed team. I was partnered with a man named Josh Craig. We placed third in that race.”

Liberty was inspired by her son, Shkaabwis Tabobondung of Wasauksing First Nation, winning three gold medals at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in 2017 for the 200m, 1,000m and the 3,000m Kayak singles events. She wanted to get back to her prime.

“It was last year, when I was sitting on the sidelines in Welland at the NAIG, watching my son Shkaabwis compete. I was sitting there and I was really out of shape. I was overweight. I was feeling pretty sluggish because it was a really hot weekend. And I thought the time is coming that I get up and get active myself.”

Still at the NAIG, Liberty attended a vendor’s booth for NAIG clothing and bags.

“They had a little post card for the Masters Indigenous Games.”

Liberty said to herself, “This is it. I’m committed. I’m going to do it.”

She bought a Masters Indigenous Games coat and made the goal of training for one year to compete.

“It was a year-long journey from that moment I was watching my son to where I paddled last weekend.”

Liberty calls her reclamation of her health and fitness a good experience. Liberty trained with The Warriors of Hope, the team of Breast Cancer Survivors who participate in Dragonboat Racing. When they finished in September, she joined the YMCA. When the snow came, she joined the North Bay Nordic Ski Club. Liberty started swimming in March with the goal of being the swimmer in a team with a high school pal for the North Bay Triathalon.

“I was getting worried that the ice wasn’t going to come off the lake – ever. It was late this year. In hindsight, I probably should have gone somewhere and actually learned how to paddle.”

Liberty laughs and says, “Because sprint paddling is very different from the marathon canoeing, so I learned. The stroke is different. It’s really about an efficient stroke and endurance.”

She is pleased with the Silver medal won with her paddle partner, former Chief of Temagami First Nation, Roxane Potts. There wasn’t as much time paddle training with Roxane as she having trouble travelling to North Bay because of the forest fires in the Temagami area.

Liberty invites others to think about setting a goal to compete in the Masters Indigenous Games. She competed in the canoe races in the 45-54 years of age category.

“The Indigenous Masters Games was an excellent opportunity for people, like myself, who are older, to participate in a competitive sport. A lot of the times, sport goes up until the age of 18 in organized sport but the opportunities aren’t available for people who are older to continue.”

She extols the social benefits of attending the Masters Indigenous Games.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for Indigenous people to come together. There was a lot of comradery and always a lot of laughter. And although there’s that competitive nature, it’s not as cut throat as it is in mainstream, which is refreshing and encouraging to see. Everyone is so supportive.”

Liberty likes that traditional sports were offered.

“Not everyone is close to a YMCA or where you can join a gym. The traditional sports offered that outlet, especially canoeing. So many of our reserves are by a body of water that it’s not hard to get out and paddle.”

She was disappointed by the lack of numbers though.

“There was not a lot of representation in canoeing.”

Liberty ponders that the races were marathon canoe and too challenging for some.

“I think if the races were shorter, it would appeal to a wider spectrum of people because not everybody is as fit as they can be. Consider 50 percent of people on-reserve are overweight; 50 percent of children on-reserve are overweight; 30 percent are obese and that was four years ago. It’s often the parents are leading the same lifestyle teaching it to the kids.”

After a year of intensive training, Liberty is content with an easy-going stroke while canoeing.

“It was a real stretch to go from journeying along the shoreline and enjoying the wildlife and the plant life. This racing thing is really different, where you put your head down and just wail away on your paddle.”

The next Masters Indigenous Games are to be hosted by the Aboriginal Sports and Wellness Council of Ontario in 2021 in partnership with Algonquins of Pikwakanagan.