Lhtako Dene Nation elder Terri Boyd welcomed the cross-country skiers and biathletes of the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games to race down the historic streets of Barkerville. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Quesnel Athlete Abbey MacKay touched the torch to the cauldron to officially light the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games flame. She would go on to win a bronze medal in biathlon. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
While listening to young Quesnel rock star Ethan Smith, the athletes lit West Fraser Centre with cellphone light during the opening ceremonies of the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Athletes appreciated the many meals served at the Quesnel Seniors’ Centre throughout the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Kassia Kitamura, competing in artistic gymnastics, took the Athlete Oath on behalf of all athletes during the opening ceremonies of the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
There were so many athletes to feed, even working in shifts, that a large wall tent was needed to fit everyone in at mealtimes during the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Savanah Wozny was one of the informative guides for athletes and coaches around her school, Correlieu Secondary, as hundreds of people spent the night in various classrooms during the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Global news personality Jay Durant was master of ceremonies during the grand opening celebrations of the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Indigenous culture was on bright display throughout the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Teams of volunteers assembled the many meals and snacks presented to athletes, coaches and officials during the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
With athletes, officials and coaches coming from all over the province, sleeping in Quesnel classrooms, some students thought to leave messages of support on the white boards. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Lhtako Dene Nation councillor Tim Michell loads a prize in the giant slingshot held by two Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games volunteers, as swag was fired into the crowd during Opening Ceremonies. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Ringette player Nikolai Benson holds the torch while fellow torch-bearer athletes Friday Borsato-Stobe (cross-country skiing) and Kayden D’Entremont (archery) stand by for their turns during the opening ceremonies of the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Badminton player Shiloh Bright holds the torch while fellow torch-bearer Abbey MacKay (biathlon) waits for her turn during the opening ceremonies . (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
The athletes of the province worked together for a “thank you” march to show their appreciation for volunteers in the historic streets of Barkerville where they got to race during the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Barkerville girl power assembled under snowy skies, with a collection of the organizers who helped arrange and execute the switch (due to weather in the valley) of some Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games nordic ski events from Hallis Lake to the higher altitudes of the historic town. From L to R, the group included Sunrise When The Salmon Come (Cheryl Chapman), Brenda Beatty, Carrie Chard, Kate Cox, Hildur Sinclair, and Dianne Dagneau. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
London Kohnke enjoys a doughnut from Barkerville’s Goldfield Bakery and also some nordic ski races of the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games as an added bonus. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Hartley Kohnke enjoys a cookie from the Barkerville’s Goldfield Bakery and also some nordic ski races of the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games as an added bonus. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Frank Peebles
Staff writer
Behind the athletic scenes, the BC Winter Games is about more than sport