Run as One: The Journey of the Front Runners – CBC

In 1967, 10 Indigenous men ran the Pan Am torch from Minneapolis to the opening ceremonies in Winnipeg. When they arrived, the torch was taken away and handed to a white athlete. This is their story.

RUNTIME: 18:59

In 1967, Winnipeg hosted the fifth Pan American Games. 10 young Indigenous athletes from First Nations across Manitoba were selected to run the Pan Am torch from Minneapolis to Winnipeg — an 800 km, once-in-a-lifetime journey.

But just before the athletes arrived at the opening ceremonies, the torch was taken from them. It was handed to a non-Indigenous athlete, who carried the torch into the stadium.

The runners were sent to a diner across the street, where they watched the opening ceremonies on TV.