Between the 1st and 11thJuly, 2015, I took part in the native inter-band games, (J.A.I.B. 2015). The
competition of this year took place in the Innu community of Mashteuiatsh,
(Pointe-Bleu). I participated as a member of the delegation of Uashat mak
Mani-Utenam – my community of residence -. The J.A.I.B. is a sports competition
among the youth of first nation communities of Quebec: Among the Innus, the Cris,
The Abénaquis, the Algonquins, the Attikameks, the Malécites, the Micmacs, the
Naskapis, the Hurons-Wendats, the Mohawks etc. I went, first as an assistant Basketball coach
and one of the supervisors but also with the intention of continuing my
integration among the first nations.
This year’s competition was attended by 950 youth
and 250 supervisors from 15 first nation communities. This fraternal
competition was really a gathering of indigenous peoples and cultures.
The desire to attend the competition grew
during training sessions I had with the young from the Innu community. Following
a number of sports activities on the basketball court, I surmised that going
with the youth would give me. So with the advice of Fr Gerard Boudreault, OMI,
I contacted the organisers from the Innu community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam
who joyously accepted my request.
during training sessions I had with the young from the Innu community. Following
a number of sports activities on the basketball court, I surmised that going
with the youth would give me. So with the advice of Fr Gerard Boudreault, OMI,
I contacted the organisers from the Innu community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam
who joyously accepted my request.
My presence, first raised the curiosity
of the participants and especially of the younger ones who could not, at all understand
the idea of a black native man who, to top it all was is a priest living in
Quebec. But as time went on, many of them approached me to know more about me and
what surprised them most no longer was my origin but my vocation. They could not understand, not only the
presence of a young Nigerian priest who was also a basketball player. Many ventured
to confirm my identity with the members of our delegation before accepting that
I was a priest. While some were curious over my identity as a priest and a
basketball player, others were amused at my passion for the social media, and
seeing on my Twitter account (@aTweetingPriest), were asking «who is this Tweeting Priest»?
of the participants and especially of the younger ones who could not, at all understand
the idea of a black native man who, to top it all was is a priest living in
Quebec. But as time went on, many of them approached me to know more about me and
what surprised them most no longer was my origin but my vocation. They could not understand, not only the
presence of a young Nigerian priest who was also a basketball player. Many ventured
to confirm my identity with the members of our delegation before accepting that
I was a priest. While some were curious over my identity as a priest and a
basketball player, others were amused at my passion for the social media, and
seeing on my Twitter account (@aTweetingPriest), were asking «who is this Tweeting Priest»?
Ali C. Nnaemeka, OMI (mekaalison@gmail.com)
Twitter: @aTweetingPriest
Facebook: Ali C. Nnaemeka, OMI
”The truth might be hard to say, painful to bear or even drastic for the truth sayer but still needed to be said”. ALISON.
