Canim Lake Band was well represented in the Olympic Torch Relay, with 14-
year-old Paige
Archie carrying the flame near Salmon Arm, and a team of 20 First Nations community members covering the distance from the South Cariboo Rec Centre to RBC in 100 Mile House.
Among the group of 20 was Adrian Archie, who is a teacher
at Eliza Archie Memorial School. This was the second Olympic
Torch run for Archie; in 1988 at the age of 23, he carried the flame in Calgary as well.
What makes the 2010 run so special is that Archie handed the torch off to
his son, Cassian,
and his daughter, Katleen who was also a member of that same group of runners.
“This run means more. I’m running with a big group and with my kids.”
Paige, a relative of Adrian, is a Coca Cola runner who was chosen by that company for her commitment to active living and for her dedication in being a model for others in her community. Paige is the delegate for First Nations Role Model.
As part of her weekly activities, Paige incorporates competitive figure skating, 4-H and traditional drumming – all while maintaining her school studies.
“She’s an awesome kid,” says her older sister, Desiree. “We bug her because she’s the goody-goody. She’s very big on school.”