'You may be a star' Cody Jamieson sends message to young athletes ahead of summer games
A professional lacrosse player has a message for youth who are gearing up to take part in the upcoming North American Indigenous Games.
Cody Jamieson wants young athletes never to underestimate their potential.
"You compete against each other and have a good time."
Jamieson is Mohawk from the Turtle Clan of the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario.
He thinks some of the young athletes heading to the games have Olympic potential. "It's just a matter of getting out there and everybody supporting them and getting their shot at it," he said.
Jamieson himself took part in the games.
More than 5,000 Indigenous athletes from across North America will compete at the games in Toronto from July 16-23.
He credits lacrosse with founding friendships and his life success. He is considered one of the best lacrosse players in the world.
"Sport gave me everything," he said.
Using lacrosse as suicide prevention
"Everything that I have right now in life benefited from sport."
Lacrosse is more than just a sport to Jamieson. He uses it as a tool when teaching youth about suicide prevention. Jamieson explains to Indigenous youth how sport belongs to their culture and can be used to tackle hard times.
"It teaches you a lot about life," Jamieson said.
The star athlete has some words of wisdom for young people who may be aiming for the games but aren't quite ready to compete yet. For them, he says, you just have to keep working at it and never quit.
"You may not make it this year but at the next one you may be a star."