Reporting in Mi'kma'ki
Reporting in Mi’kma’ki is a Mi’kmaw-led experiential journalism course
Eskasoni teen excited for ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to pitch at NAIG 2023
By Gabrielle Drapeau and Christen Ferrer
Elle Gould grew up on the ballfield. As a young child, she recalls watching her dad, cousins, aunts and uncles playing softball at Apamuek Ballfield on Shore Road in Eskasoni, a Mi’kmaw community in Unama’ki (Cape Breton). The wide open, dirt field is in the middle of the community, only minutes away from Elle’s house.
Now, at 17, Elle is preparing on that same field for the 10th North American Indigenous Games, (NAIG), taking place this July in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) and Millbrook First Nation.
“I’m nervous, but I’m excited at the same time,” she says. “I’m excited to meet all these new people, play against new people, see how they play softball up in different places in Canada. This is like a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Elle is one of 5,000 young athletes from over 750 nations across Turtle Island (North America) who will compete at NAIG 2023. Athletes aged 13 to 19 will compete across 16 sports. Elle will pitch for Team Nova Scotia’s female softball team.
“You need a strong mentality. It’s very hard to be a pitcher, I find it’s hard on the mind, because the game doesn't start until you throw the ball,” Elle says.
Elle Gould shares what softball means to her as she prepares to compete in the North American Indigenous Games.
Elle has been training for NAIG for a long time – she was supposed to compete in 2020, when the games were cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
“That just gave me motivation to train harder for the next one,” Elle says.
Elle has played on several softball teams over the years, with young athletes from across Nova Scotia.
“You make lots of friends,” she says. “I love the sportsmanship.”
We met up with Elle and her father, Eldon Gould, at the Apamuek Ballfield on a sunny but windy day in May. They tossed a softball back and forth to beat the chill; a routine warm-up for them.
Eldon Gould has played two big roles in Elle’s softball journey – as her coach and her father.
“She grew up playing softball with the family, and we all chipped in to be teachers,” he says. “I’ve been coaching her ever since she started playing.”
“Softball has been our family sport.”
Eldon Gould with his daughter Elle at the Apamuek Ballfield in Eskasoni. (Photo Credit: Gabrielle Drapeau)
Eldon says that family and community support has been important and describes Elle as a highly motivated player and student.
“Her mind is disciplined and strong,” he says. “She’s one of those athletes that pushes herself without me telling her ‘you got to do this’ or ‘you got to do that.’ She does that on her own.”
Elle says she loves having her dad as a coach.
“That’s what makes me and my dad, me and my dad. I find sports brings us really close.”
She says she hopes to be a role model for younger kids and wants to become a coach in the future.
Eldon passed down more than softball skills to his daughter. Elle grew up speaking Mi’kmaw.
“I love our language, it’s so beautiful. I’m excited to share our culture and customs.”
Elle Gould says it takes mental strength to be a pitcher. (Photo Credit: Gabrielle Drapeau)
NAIG athletes and spectators can visit a cultural village during the games to discover and explore Mi’kmaw culture and history.
The softball games will take place July 17 to 22 on the Halifax Commons. Elle says she is excited to have her Eskasoni family and community come to cheer her on.
“Everything that I do, everything that anybody does, everybody will support you here.”