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A handful of local first nations soccer players are training for a major sporting event next year.

Eight youths from Tla'Amin (Sliammon) First Nation qualified to compete in the 2008 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). Carmen Galligos, Joel Harry, Shailen Tom, Jasmine Menendez, Trent Mahy, Joel Mahy, Jordan Peters and Lucinda Louie will play soccer for teams within Aboriginal Team BC.

According to the Cowichan 2008 website, the games were conceived in the 1970s to promote indigenous cultures and support indigenous youth through sport.


It is an impressive feat for a small community such as Tla'Amin.
The Philly concert circuit is in full swing in October, with everything from reunion shows (Van Halen) to an Italian rock star (Zucchero) to jam bands (Gov't Mule, Phil Lesh & Friends) on the calendar. New Jersey's favorite son, Bruce Springsteen, returns with the E-Street Band next week, while the regrouped Smashing Pumpkins plays three nights at the Tower Theatre later in the month. Sprinkled in between are an array of singer-songwriters, too, everyone from local favorites like Devon Greenwood and John Francis to WXPN darlings such as Erin McKeown and Mary Gauthier.

Springsteen's tour -- his first with the E-Street Band in more than four years -- coincides with the release of his new album, "Magic." Springsteen was recently quoted as saying that the album is a full-blown rocker, and "it's just built" to be played live.

"I wrote with a lot of melody, and with a lot of hooks, and there's a lot of band power behind the stuff that I wrote this time out. So I'm excited to hear that come straight off the band," Springsteen said.

Concert favorite Erin McKeown plays the World Cafe on Oct. 5 -- the same night as Springsteen's first of two shows at the Wachovia Center. McKeown, 29, is touring in support of her just-released live album, "Lafayette."

Named for the address of New York's much-loved Joe's Pub, "Lafayette" is the acclaimed singer-guitarist's first official live album and an invitation into her other world, the stage, where she spends more than half of every year knocking fans over nightly.

"This one landed somewhere in between a live album and a studio album in terms of what's on it," McKeown said recently by phone, adding that she loves touring "in a sort of pathological way."

"I can't go without playing live," she said. "And this album was the perfect medicine; it's where my audience's tastes meet. You get a little bit of everything." McKeown said she's happy with the direction of her musically diverse career and that "people, on some level, get what I'm about."

Also this month, music fans can see what the fuss is all about when Italian rock star Zucchero performs with his band at Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pa., Oct. 7. A huge star in Europe, Zucchero has recorded with Sting, Eric Clapton and John Lee Hooker, but remains a word-of-mouth favorite in the states.

The following is a partial listing of shows for October:

Monday: Van Halen with guest Ky-Mani Marley, Wachovia Center, 7:30 p.m., $49.50 to $149.50. VH1 You Oughta Know Tour featuring Brandi Carlile and A Fine Frenzy, Electric Factory, 8 p.m., $18. Melvins with Big Business, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $16.

Tuesday: Twiztid with Ill Bill and Mower, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $20. A Quiet Night In with the Mekons, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m., $16, $18. Sonata Artica, Trocadero, 7 p.m., $19.

Wednesday: Van Halen with guest Ky-Mani Marley, Wachovia Center, 7:30 p.m., $49.50 to $149.50. VH1 Hip Hop Honors Tour with The Roots, MC Lyte and Big Daddy Kane, Electric Factory, 8 p.m., $15. Michael Franti & Spearhead, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $25. Missy Higgins, Tin Angel, 8:30 p.m., $15.

Thursday: Strung Out with Evergreen, Terrace, and I Am Ghost, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $14. Joe Thalman, Tin Angel, 8:30 p.m., $10. Balkan Beat Box with March Fourth Marching Band, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m., $15. Rodney Crowell, Sellersville Theatre, 8 p.m., $29.50. Cannibal Corpse with Black Dahlia Murder, Trocadero, 7 p.m., $20.

Oct. 5: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Wachovia, Center, 7:30 p.m., $68 and $98 (sold out). Cartel with The Honorary Title and Weatherbox, Electric Factory, 8 p.m., $18. Erin McKeown with Joshua James, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m., $20. Dave Mason and John Mayall, Keswick Theatre, 8 p.m., $29.50 and $39.50. Pinback with MC Chris, Fillmore TLA, 9 p.m., $14. Loudon Wainwright III with Lucy Wainwright-Roche, Sellersville Theatre, 8 p.m., $29.50. In The Round: Devin Greenwood, Carsie Blanton, John Francis, Devon Sproule, Tin Angel, 7:30 p.m., $10. Johnette Napolitiano, Tin Angel, 10:30 p.m., $15.

Oct. 6: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Wachovia, Center, 7:30 p.m., $68 and $98 (sold out). Gov't Mule with Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Tower Theater, 7 p.m., $27.50 and $30. Country Joe McDonald's tribute to Woody Guthrie, Tin Angel, 7 p.m., $16. Milton & The Devil's Party, Tin Angel, 10 p.m., $10. Never Say Never Tour with Charlotte Martin, Ken Andrews with First Wave Hello, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m., $17. "Provoked" with Henry Rollings, Keswick Theatre, 8 p.m., $29.50. The Waiting Room: Peter Gabriel/Genesis tribute, Sellersville Theatre, 8 p.m., $23.50. Sneaker Pimps, Trocadero, 8 p.m., $15.

Oct. 7: High on Fire with Mono, Panthers and Coliseum, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $17. Nik Everett, Tin Angel, 7 p.m., $10. Zucchero, Keswick Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $28 and $38. Tierra Tango with Katie Viquiera, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m. $20. Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Sellersville Theater, 7:30 p.m., $39.50. Overkill, Trocadero, 7 p.m., $14.

Oct. 8: Minus the Bear with Subtle, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $16. The Donnas with Donita Sparks and American Bang, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m., $14. Ingram Hill, North Star Bar, 7 p.m., $12.

Oct. 9: Klaxons, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $16. Pete Best Band, Tin Angel, 8:30 p.m., $20.

Oct. 10: !!! with The Field, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $17. Marc Silver Band, Tin Angel, 8:30 p.m., $8. Raul Midon with Morley, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m., $25. Fionn Regan, World Cafe Live upstairs, 7:30 p.m., $8. Of Montreal, Trocadero, 7 p.m., $15.

Oct. 11: Andy McKee, Tin Angel, 8:30 p.m., $20. Matt Nathanson with Cary Brothers, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $20. Eric Andersen, World Cafe Live, 8 p.m., $20. Charlie Hunter, World Cafe Live upstairs, 9 p.m. $15. Toubab Krewe, World Cafe Live, 20:30 p.m., $12.

Oct. 12: An evening with Phil Lesh and Friends, Tweeter Center, 8 p.m., $39.50 and $49.50.

Oct. 13: Maroon 5 with The Hives and Sara Bareilles, Wachovia Spectrum, 8 p.m., $40.50 and $50.50. Tiger Army with Street Dogs and The Static Age, Fillmore TLA, 9 p.m., $14. Josh Joplin, Tin Angel, 7:30 p.m., $15. Joey DeGraw, Tin Angel, 10:30 p.m., $10. Lonestar, Commerce Bank Arts Centre, 8 p.m., $35 to $67.50.

Oct. 14: Hot Hot Heat with Bedouin Soundclash and De Novo Dahl, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $17. Catie Curtis with Lindsay Mac, World Cafe Live, 7 p.m., $20. Frank Stallone with guest Skip Denenberg, Sellersville Theater, 7:30 p.m., $19.50. Circa Survive, Trocadero, 6 p.m., $15. Project/Object: Music of Frank Zappa, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m., $18.

Oct. 15: Tori Amos, Tower Theater, 8 p.m., $34.50 to $49.60. IAMX featuring Chris Corner of Sneaker Pimps, North Star Bar, 7 p.m., $12. Insane Clown Posse with Necro and Motown Rage, Electric Factory, 8 p.m., $26. Coco Montoya with Sarah Ayers, Sellersville Theater, 8 p.m., $19.50. Yonder Mountain String Band, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $22.50. Robert Hazard, Tin Angel, 7:30 p.m., $15. Three The Hard Way, Tin Angel, 10:30 p.m., $10. Issa (Jane Siberry), World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m. $15.

Oct. 16: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus with Amber Pacific and New Year's Day, Electric Factory, 8 p.m., $15. Eileen Jewell, Tin Angel, 7 p.m., $10. Nightwish and Paradise Lost, Trocadero, 7 p.m., $24. Christopher Denny, World Cafe upstairs, 8 p.m., free.

Oct. 17: Bad Religion with The Briggs and Jena Berlin, Electric Factory, 8 p.m., $20. Po'Girl, Tin Angel, 8:30 p.m., $12. Static-X and Shadows Fall, Trocadero, 6 p.m., $21.50.

Oct. 18: Kelly Clarkson with Jon McLaughlin, Tower Theater, 8 p.m., $39.50 and $49.50. Rodrigo y Gabriela with Alex Skolnick, Electric Factory, 8:30 p.m., $27. Brian Seymour, Tin Angel, 8:30 p.m., $10. Eve, World Cafe Live, 9 p.m., $45. The Limeliters, Sellersville Theater, 8 p.m., $25. Serj Tankian with The Nightwatchman, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $25.

Oct. 19: The Smashing Pumpkins with Explosions in the Sky, Tower Theater, 9 p.m., $39.50 and $49.50. Power House 25 featuring Kanye West with Rihanna, Akon, Ne-Yo, Eve, and more, Wachovia Center, 6 p.m., $9.99 to $99.99. Spoon with The Ponys, Electric Factory, 8:30 p.m., $20. Toots & The Maytals, with Fear Nuttin Band, Fillmore TLA, 9 p.m., $22. The Wallflowers, Keswick Theatre, 8 p.m., $29.50. Antje Duvekot and Peter Mulvey, Tin Angel, 7:30 p.m., $12. Chris Kasper, Tin Angel, 10:30 p.m., $8. Ryan Montbleu with Peter Prince and Jesse Dee, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m., $12. Nowhere, The Law, Trocadero, 6:30 p.m., $15.

Oct. 20: Puddle of Mudd with Saliva and Deepfield, Fillmore TLA, 9 p.m., $25. Julian Velard, Tin Angel, 7 p.m., $10. Garrison Starr, Tin Angel, 10 p.m., $12. Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers, with Patrick Grant & The Rising, Sellersville Theater, 8 p.m., $19.50. Witchcraft with The Saviours, North Star Bar, 9 p.m., $12.

Oct. 21: The Smashing Pumpkins with Explosions in the Sky, Tower Theater, 9 p.m., $39.50 and $49.50. Alter Bridge with Another Animal, Electric Factory, 8 p.m., $19.50. Dark Horse: A Tribute to George Harrison with Jon Perry, Tin Angel, 7 p.m. $15. Cheryl Wheeler, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m. $20. The Buckinghams with Steve and Steve, Sellersville Theater, 7:3 0p.m., $33.

Oct. 22: The Smashing Pumpkins with Explosions in the Sky, Tower Theater, 9 p.m., $39.50 and $49.50. Blue Rodeo & Friends tour featuring Ron Sexsmith, Luke Doucet and more, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m. $20.

Oct. 23: The Smashing Pumpkins with Explosions in the Sky, Tower Theater, 9 p.m., $39.50 and $49.50. The Hold Steady with Art Brut and Demander, Electric Factory, 8 p.m., $18.

Oct. 24: Danzig with Gorgeous Frankenstein and Doom Riders, Electric Factory, 8 p.m., $28. The Tragically Hip, Fillmore TLA, 8 p.m., $25. Robbie Fulks, Tin Angel, 8:30 p.m. $15. Dan Wilson (Semisonic), World Cafe Live, 8 p.m., $20. Twelve Girls Band, Keswick Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $38 and $48.

Oct. 25: New Found Glory, Senses Fail and Bedlight for Blue Eyes and The Receiving End of Sirens, Electric Factory, 7:30 p.m., $23. She Wants Revenge with Kenna and Io Echo, Fillmore TLA, 9 p.m., $16. Mary Gauthier with Lucy Wainwright Roche, World Cafe Live, 7:30 p.m., $20. Ralph Stanley & This Clinch Mountain Boys, Sellersville Theater, 8 p.m., $37.50.

Oct. 26: New Found Glory, Senses Fail and Bedlight for Blue Eyes and The Receiving End of Sirens, Electric Factory, 7:30 p.m., $23. Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers with Pete Francis and Tyrone, Fillmore TLA, 8:30 p.m., $16. New Pornographers with Neko Case, Trocadero, 7 p.m., $19. John Jorgeson Quartet, Tin Angel, 8:30 p.m. $18.

Oct. 26: David Poe, Tin Angel, 7:30 p.m., $12. Lelia Broussard, Tin Angel, 10:30 p.m. $12. Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Sellersville Theater, 8 p.m., $33. REO Speedwagon, Keswick Theatre, 8 p.m., $38 and $48.

Oct. 27: Pepper with The Expendables and Pacifier, Electric Factory, 8;30 p.m., $18. Boris Garcia with The Rowan Brothers, Sellersville Theater, 8 p.m., $17.50. Bayside, The Sleeping, Trocadero, 6 p.m., $14.

Oct. 28: The Nightbirds, Tin Angel, 7 p.m., $8. Kathy Mattea, Sellersville Theater, 7:30 p.m., $49.50.

Oct. 30: Type Negative O with Lordi, Trocadero, 7 p.m., $26.50. Sean Hayes & Jenny Owen Youngs, World Cafe Live, 8 p.m., $10.


"It's huge. You look at Duncan, they have 2,000 people there," said Steve Galligos, a Tla'Amin council member who is helping to get youths ready for the games.

"So you look at somewhere like Sliammon that has 500 on reserve, to have eight of our kids make it is amazing," Galligos said. He added that the provincial team has 500 to 600 athletes. The local kids will play in bantam, midget and juvenile soccer divisions.


"I think this is one of those things that are really going to help these young people in their future," said Tla'Amin chief Walter Paul.

The seventh NAIG will be held in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. It has grown significantly since the 1990 games in Edmonton, where 3,000 participated.

Young aboriginal athletes from all over North America will compete in a variety of sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing and golf.

Galligos said most of the kids are still unaware of the scope and significance of the games. "The ones that haven't been there can't really comprehend how big it is, what a big deal it is for first nations," said Galligos. "It's basically the native Olympics."

The 2008 event is expected to draw 20,000 people to the Cowichan Valley. Paul said accommodation in the valley is already booked for the games.

Galligos's 12-year-old daughter Carmen qualified for the provincial team. She is busy training. "I play on the rep team and the house team," she said.

Joel Harry, 13, will also compete. "I think it's great. I've never really done anything like that," he said. "I'm happy about it because I never thought I'd be able to make it."

The players will be busy. They all play on house and rep teams, which keep them on the field four times a week. When provincial team practices commence, they will also be training on some weekends.

Although parents incurred the costs of taking kids to try out for the provincial team, the Tla'Amin chief and council supported kids to attend the provincial teams' soccer camp. Athletes were offered $595 each in exchange for some community service on the reserve.
"It was money well spent," said Paul.

After the Winnipeg games in 2002, the federal and provincial governments created a formal funding structure, in conjunction with the Aboriginal Sport Circle, to provide a sustainable financial base to ensure the cultural event will continue.

The federal government provides 35 per cent, and the provincial government an additional 35 per cent of the funding. Cowichan tribes and the Cowichan Valley Regional District will provide the remaining funds to host the games.

Galligos said Powell River's volunteer soccer coaches provided time and effort to assist the soccer players make the provincial teams. The Girls of Tattoo U are uninhibited young ladies who get inked and pierced in the buff while they tell you what really turns them on. In this uncensored, voyeuristic look inside Boston's legendary "Kabloom" tattoo parlor we meet Sammie, Taryn, Insomnia, Sabre, Sundae and Bella and witness just how far these girls will go to get inked in some very delicate places . The Girls of Tattoo You are savvy, sexy individualists and not squeamish in the least... are you

The 2008 NAIG will run from August 2-10.