The sports world has just been in full steam with events happening on a weekly basis. We have news for you from across North America from Cheechoo accepting the Rocket Richard Trophy in Vancouver, B.C. to Begay III making his first Top 10 cut this season in Connecticut.

But the North American Indigenous Games 2006 was the biggest event that happens each year and here is an overview of the Games of 2006.

THE LARGEST GAMES EVER WON BY TEAM SASKATCHEWAN

Denver, Colorado U.S.A. - The 2006 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) was an amazing demonstration of unity amongst Indigenous People of North America! Over 7,000 Indigenous athletes from 34 Delegations (23 American & 11 Canadian), representing over 500 Nations converged upon Denver to compete in athletic competition and to celebrate their culture.

The top five medal winners are listed as follows;
Saskatchewan 194
Ontario 90
New Mexico 75
British Columbia 69
Alberta 59

From July 2-8, 2006, Denver, Colorado, was the cultural heart of North America as the host city of the 2006 NAIG.

The 2006 NAIG was a phenomenal celebration of sport and culture for North American Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (North America). The Colorado Indigenous Games Society, host organization for the 2006 NAIG, would like to thank all athletes, coaches, spectators, families, and Chef de Missions for participating in the 2006 NAIG. Rain or shine, we came together for an historic event that we can remember forever!

BEGAY III FINISHES 9th AT BUICK CHAMPIONSHIP

CROMWELL, Conn. U.S.A. - His final-round 69 at the Buick Championship was just enough to earn Notah Begay III his first Top 10 finish on the PGA Tour since the 2004 B.C. Open on July 2006.

Notah, who finished in a tie for 9th place, shot a 68 in the first round followed by a 66 and 71 before final 18 holes.

Although he ended the 2nd round in a tie for 3rd place at 6-under, Notah spent a significant part of the day on top of the leaderboard after his solid early round.

"I was not figuring on leading the tournament,” said Notah after his 2nd round, "I just know that I had not made a cut this year, and I wanted to."

Now 5-1 versus the cut at the Buick Championship, this was the first cut made in five 2006 PGA Tour events.

Notah earned $101,828.57, which places him at No. 189 on the 2006 PGA Tour money list. The Top 125 at the end of the season earn exempt status for the next season.

When Notah Begay III earned his fourth PGA Tour victory in less than two years at the 2000 Canon Greater Hartford Open, the engaging American Indian had firmly established himself as a rising star on the PGA Tour.

His career has been crippled by a back injury ever since, to the point where he considered quitting. Before the start of the 2001 season, he suffered annular tears of the L-4 and L-5 discs in his lower back.

"If you look at my performance the last four years, it's been so bad. It's been inconsistent. I've gone six or seventh months without even playing at times. You just can't get good doing that. I definitely have entertained thoughts of life after golf at the tender age of 33," Begay said.

You can't blame him. From 2001 through 2005, he failed to make the cut in 102 of 148 tournaments, and he's 0-for-4 this year.

"It's hard to explain because physically I don't look hurt, but I've endured a tremendous amount of pain in terms of having mobility issues in my back and in my hip," Begay said. "I had a major sciatic develop last May which prevented me from walking, literally, for two weeks."

But Begay, playing on a sponsor's exemption, has rediscovered his game on June 29-July 2 weekend at the Buick Championship. By shooting a 4-under 66 Friday, June 30, he vaulted into a four-way tie for third at 6-under 134, just two strokes behind leader Darron Stiles.

It's been a long road to semi-recovery for Begay, who grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and was a three-time All-American at Stanford.

"The initial disc injury, the torn disc that I incurred after the 2000 season was only the beginning and the rehabilitation process has gone on so much longer," he said. "I'm still recovering and I still have pain. It hit me a couple of times out there today."

Having been through so much adversity, Begay was asked how he maintains his positive attitude.

"I still consider myself very lucky to be a member of the Tour and be a part of I think a great organization that has a tremendous track record with community service," he said. "In spite of what's happened to me, I still have an opportunity to have a positive effect on my communities back in New Mexico."

Indeed, he started a charitable foundation last year and drew 150 youngsters from his reservation for a soccer program.

"I don't need to have a good resume on the golf course to be a positive member of my community," Begay said.

TOOTOO SIGNS FOR TWO MORE WITH NASHVILLE

Nashville, Tennessee U.S.A. – Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile has announced that the club has re-signed restricted free-agent forward Jordin Tootoo to a two-year contract.

Nashville's sixth choice in the 2001 Entry Draft, Tootoo played 41 games this past season with the Predators' primary developmental affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. Tootoo notched 27 points (13g-14a) and 133 penalty minutes during the regular season and he potted nine goals and 11 points (9g-2a) in 15 games as the Admirals advanced to the Calder Cup Finals.

Tootoo appeared in 34 games with the Predators in 2005-06, topping his point (4g-6a-10pts) and assist totals from his rookie season (4g-4a-8pts in 70 games in 2003-04) in less than half the games. Raised in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, the 5-9, 194-pound right wing also tied for third on the club with a +9 rating and registered 55 penalty minutes.

Forward Jordin Tootoo agreed to a $1.2-million, two-year deal with the Predators.

CHEECHOO ACCEPTS THE ROCKET RICHARD TROPHY

Vancouver, British Columbia - The annual NHL Awards ceremony, held on July 22, is the red carpet finale to the NHL’s season and Jonathon Cheechoo was in attendance to be honored for his outstanding season. Cheechoo’s linemate Joe Thornton stole the headlines by taking the MVP Trophy, but it was also a night for Cheechoo and Lady Bing finalist Patrick Marleau.

Thornton was awarded the Hart Trophy, along with the Art Ross Trophy for leading the NHL in points, and Jonathan Cheechoo was presented the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for topping all NHL goal scorers.

Cheechoo’s award was earned two months ago, but being on stage officially put him in a different level.

“It was pretty special,” said Cheechoo. “You don’t get a chance to do that too often. It’s pretty surreal to be mentioned in the same sentence with those players (like Richard), but it is nice to hear to the mention.”

When the Ross and Richard Trophies were awarded, Cheechoo and Thornton accepted on stage together.

“It was neat the way we both accepted it at the same time,” said Cheechoo. “We played beside each other most of the year. The pressure was off me with him up there.”

Cheechoo was happy to thank the people who helped him reach the elite level, and with Moose Factory, Ontario native, that includes not just his parents, but his entire hometown.

“I’ve mentioned everyone back home a lot in the papers, but a lot were watching in Canada,” said Cheechoo. “They helped me out and they supported me. I’ll never forget that and I’m glad to mention them.”

Cheechoo also enjoyed being around the NHL’s best.

“It is pretty amazing seeing your peers out here and then passing some of the biggest names,” said Cheechoo. “I got to meet Messier and I walked by Gretzky.”   

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