Sask. First Nations sports event to begin amid air quality concerns

Some delegations are pulling out of the Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games in La Ronge, Sask., over air quality concerns, but organizers say it's safe.

The event,being hosted by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, begins this weekend. This is the event's 50th Anniversary.

The competition typically involves hundreds of athletes, coaches and others. Sports include soccer, softball, track and field, archery, beach volleyball, canoe/kayak and golf.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special air quality statement for the general area,which includes the provincial park and townsite.

Yorkton Tribal CouncilChief Isabel O'Soup said its six member nations have made the difficult decision not to go.

"Yorkton Tribal Council supports our six member nations who have made that decision for the safety of their community members, and the safety of their children and the athletes," she said.

She said the kids will likely be disappointed, but safety has to be a priority. She saidthe tribal council hopes to have a fun local alternative for the kids.

"They're going to be arranging for some kind of local fun day,like some kind of sports day for our kids," O'Soup said.

Organizers for the Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games issued a statementsayingthe games will go ahead as planned. They said there is some smoke, but no fires threatening the La Ronge area.

They said the air quality statements covera wide area, but the local region shouldn't be too badly affected.