Saskatoon boxing bout honours residential school survivors

WATCH: Indigenous athletes from across the prairies are stepping into the ring in Saskatoon this weekend to honour residential school survivors.

Indigenous boxers from across the Prairies will compete in Saskatoon this weekend in a special event dedicated to honouring residential school survivors.

Saturday night’s event, titled This Bout is for Truth, is being held ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Kyle Paposi, one of the featured boxers, is stepping into the ring to pay tribute to family members affected by the residential school system.

“It makes me pretty proud because I get to represent my family,” he said.

Paposi has spent the past seven years in the ring and says the sport has taught him both discipline and healing.

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“Boxing is all about showing up. You have to show up no matter how you feel,” he said.“Believe in what kind of achievements you can make, no matter what’s happened to you.”

Paposi is one of several Indigenous fighters taking part in the event, which also features cultural performances such as drumming and traditional dancing.

Coach and organizer Gary Kopas says the evening brings together sport and culture to recognize the past and support young athletes.

He says having elders in the audience makes the night even more powerful.

“It’s really powerful to see them smiling and have that opportunity for the future generations to be able to excel in life, and just be part of everything that these residential school survivors didn’t get to be a part of,” he said.

This Bout is for Truth kicks off Saturday at 5 p.m. at Prairieland Park.