North American Indigenous Games Council conditionally awards its next Games

The next North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) are now expected to be held in Manitoba.

That’s because the NAIG Council has conditionally awarded the 2028 Games to Norway House Cree Nation (NHCN), located in northern Manitoba, as well as the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), which represents 33 First Nations in southern Manitoba.

The majority of the activities in the multi-sport competition, expected to attract more than 5,000 participants from across Canada and the United States, will be held in Winnipeg.

There is a chance that some other communities in Manitoba, including NHCN, will also host some of the action.

The last NAIG were held in 2023, primarily in Halifax.

And it had been announced that Calgary would then host the 2027 Games. But the NAIG Council withdrew Calgary’s hosting rights last August, citing that the host society did not achieve certain deadlines for various benchmarks.

An Oct. 8 press release from the NAIG Council, which announced 2028 co-hosts, said their bid for the 2028 Games “depends on completing several key milestones before a formal Host Agreement is signed.”

The release said NAIG Council will work alongside the two co-hosts, as well as government and community partners, to meet necessary requirements. 

Rick Brant, the president of the NAIG Council executive, said crucial work will take place in the next 60 to 90 days.

This includes “incorporating a not-for-profit Host Society with a board of directors that reflects a broad range of partners, including other prominent Indigenous groups and organizations in Manitoba, as well as representatives from all three levels of government,” Brant said.

“Other key milestones include finalizing the operating budget and plan, hiring a CEO, securing formal venue-use agreements and establishing funding agreements with the municipal, provincial, and federal governments.”

Brant said work has already commenced.

“I’m pleased to share that work is progressing at a rapid rate across each of these areas of priority,” he said.

NAIG, first staged in 1990 in Edmonton, has been held a total of 10 times. Winnipeg previously hosted in 2002.

Brant said NAIG Council’s decision to conditionally award the 2028 Games for Winnipeg was unanimous.

“We were very impressed by the leadership demonstrated by NHCN and SCO and their shared vision for bringing the NAIG back to Winnipeg,” he said. “The information provided throughout the bid process was thorough and demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering a successful Games, supported by commitments from the city of Winnipeg, the province of Manitoba and the federal government.

“It was clear throughout the process that there was tremendous organizational capacity, outstanding sporting venues and the partnerships needed to host an exceptional Games experience for Indigenous athletes and communities from across Turtle Island.”

Norway House Cree Nation Chief Season Roulette said plenty of teamwork will be required to stage the Games.

“No Nation does something of this size alone,” she said. “We’re proud to stand alongside our partners on this. Something this meaningful is best done together with our communities guiding the way.”

Norway House Cree Nation is located more than 800 kilometres—more than an eight-hour drive—from Winnipeg.

“As a northern First Nation, helping lead these Games is a real source of pride,” Roulette said. “But that pride doesn’t come from the award itself. It’s knowing our kids and future leaders will have a chance to take part in something special.”

NHCN has about 10,000 members. Roulette is confident members from her First Nation can successfully host a faraway competition.

“Hosting a major event always comes with challenges but First Nations have the capacity to do great things no matter where the event takes place,” she said. “We’ve shown that at home, hosting the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games in Norway House. And we’ve shown it by coordinating events outside of our community. That versatility is a strength we bring to this partnership.”

Roulette realizes plenty of hard work is ahead in the coming months to ensure the co-hosts are awarded the Hosting Agreement.

“Being awarded the Games is the first step and it kick-starts the real work,” she said. “Putting strong agreements, governance and foundations in place is how we make sure these Games are built to last and built by the communities they serve.”

SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels is thrilled his organization will be involved.

“Movement is medicine and the North American Indigenous Games give our young people an opportunity to build confidence, strengthen friendships and take pride in who they are,” he said. “For SCO’s member Nations, these Games are an opportunity to celebrate First Nations excellence and inspire the next generation, on and off the field.

“We are proud to work alongside Norway House Cree Nation to welcome athletes from across Turtle Island and show how sport and culture can bring people together, strengthen our Nations and advance reconciliation.”