A group of more than a dozen students of Keeseekoose Chiefs Education Centre in grades 7 to 12 have begun practice with eyes towards competing in the 2023 First Nations Cup.
“The event, which is seen as the PGA of First Nations golf in Canada, will be held next July in either Saskatoon or Yorkton,” said Mark Whitehawk, the school’s language teacher who coaches the group along with Charlie Keshane, a teacher at the school, and Tristan Keshane, an educational assistant.
“Keeseekoose First Nation has agreed to host the First Nations Cup,” Whitehawk said, explaining that Keeseekoose also hosted the 2022 event which was held in Saskatoon.
“We are trying to bring the Cup to Yorkton, which is Treaty 4 territory,” he said. “We’ll know later if the competition will be in Yorkton, or back at Saskatoon.
More than 600 First Nations golfers from across Canada are expected to attend the 2023 First Nations Cup, he said, adding that the competition is aimed at the youth and the top female and male golfers may win major scholarships. The event has been held annually since 1999.
“We have a lot of talent in this group,” he said of the Keeseekoose team.
Seven members of the team were expected to compete at the district golfing championship played at the Madge Lake Golf Resort on Sept. 15. They included: Matthew Keshane, Israel Gamble, Kaylee Keshane, Jeremy Strongquill, Tyrea Mitsuing, Kayden Quewezance and Memphis Bryant.
