Olympic torchbearers chosen
Posted By Rob Swystun, Central Plains Herald-Leader
Posted 2 months ago
The Olympic torchbearers are in place for the two local First Nations the flame will visit.
Josh Pashe will carry the Olympic torch for Dakota Tipi First Nation and Roger Merrick will carry it for Long Plain First Nation.
Pashe, 16, is the son of Dakota Tipi Chief Cornell Pashe and an avid hockey player at Portage Collegiate Institute, where he is in Grade 11.
"I'm assistant captain of the Trojans," Pashe said.
Getting to run the torch from the Trans-Canada Highway into Dakota Tipi, and around the school is a big honour for the teen.
"I'm proud to represent my community and my school," he said.
While the trek from the highway into Dakota Tipi and around the school is about four kilometres, Pashe said, he was up to doing it.
"I run everyday, and I have hockey everyday, and I go to the gym a lot," he noted.
Pashe will do his part of the Olympic torch relay on Jan. 8.
As a father, Cornell Pashe was extremely proud of his son for being picked for what he described as the opportunity of a lifetime.
"It's always an opportunity to be a part of history," he said of the torch relay.
The chief also pointed out that even though it was his son that got the nod from the Portage Olympic Committee, he went through the same process as everyone who was nominated.
The chiefs and councils from both Dakota Tipi and Long Plain each gave their representative on the Portage Olympic Committee, Stephen Prince, three names based on the criteria for nominations.
From there, it was in the committee's hands as to who was chosen.
Along with Pashe, Alex Miller and Angel Miller were also nominated from Dakota Tipi, Prince noted.
"They have played a key role in their community academically or in sports," he said of the three nominees, "if not both."
He also added Pashe has been a good role model for youth in the community, as well.
While Merrick could not be reached for an interview with the Central Plains Herald-Leader, that may have been because he was out running.
"In his youth, Roger was a very avid long distance runner," Prince explained.
He used to run from Long Plain to Portage and back on an almost daily basis, Prince added, and now that he's in his 50s, Merrick still often runs from Long Plain to the Trans-Canada Highway and back.
"I look at it like he's addicted to running," Prince quipped.
Other nominees from Long Plain were Jaime Mousseau, who will act as the Aboriginal Youth Flame Attendant, and Anita Longclaws.
The Olympic flame is set to be blessed by elders at both First Nations before continuing on its journey to Vancouver for the start of the Olympics.
rswsytun@cpheraldleader.com
