Sports are so often used as a release; a release from a tough day at work or school. A release from stress. A release from family troubles.
For Gordon Paskemin from the Sweetgrass First Nation, pool started as a fun sport to play, but during an especially difficult time in his life, it turned into a release.
"For a couple years there, I got lost, I didn't know where to go. It's hard on a guy that's used to having his parents there. And then when they broke up that's when I sort of went haywire there for a couple years onto liquor and drugs," said Paskemin.
He was 19 when his parents split up. At this time he had been playing pool for seven years, but never relied on it as much as now.
What are supposed to be some of the best years of your life; fresh out of school, first taste of freedom, first time really living and before the responsibility of a mortgage and kids kick in, turned out to be a disastrous time for Paskemin.
Pool helped him get through his troubles. He took the game seriously, put in countless hours of dedication and he refused to throw it away on a partying lifestyle.
That's a lot of credit to give to what most would consider just a game, but anyone who's dedicated their life to a sport knows how much it can influence your decisions.
"It was always there. If I went and partied and tried to go play I just didn't have it, so I learned that way. It doesn't mix, it's either you wanna party or you wanna play, so for me, it was play," said Paskemin.
He's since pulled away from his partying lifestyle, but one thing remains consistent - pool.
Canadian championships representing Saskatchewan, singles in the Canadian 9 Ball Finals, first in the men's singles at the annual WCVNEA Championship, first at the annual Northern All Reserve 8 Ball Championship and the Battlefords Winter Shootout first place in singles are just some of his accomplishments.
Paskemin's been playing pool since he was 12 years old. He didn't start on your typical pool table. He used an old three foot by six foot table with golf balls in lieu of pool balls and sticks from the bush were used as cues. He relies on more conventional equipment now.
"Well, my dad used to play and we all played, even my sisters play. Once I got started and winning, I was hooked, very seldom I lost when I played pool," he said.
A big reason he continues to win is the dedication he puts in that most wouldn't. Not only does he talk to the pros when he plays in big tournaments, he records professional pool that comes on TV. He studies it endlessly, sometimes watching one match three or four times to learn how the best of the best harness their craft.
He'll be hosting a pool tournament over the weekend at the bingo hall in downtown North Battleford. The last time he hosted one 53 players came out, he's hoping for even more this time. Paskemin expects players will be coming from as far as Alberta.
Pool isn't his only talent. He, along with his brothers and sisters, also sing powwow with the Sweetgrass Singers. Paskemin has travelled throughout Canada and the United States winning singing and drumming competitions. They even sang for then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
When he's not singing or playing pool, Paskemin keeps himself busy building houses as a contractor.
But he will always find time for pool - his release.
