Games of the Day: Toronto 2017, North American Indigenous Games

Cancelled in 2011, the event failed to find a suitable host south of the 49th parallel for 2017. However, thanks to continued support north of the border, next year the North American Indigenous Games will head for Toronto and its debut in Western Canada.

Mary Spencer, three times world boxing champion, five-time Pan-American Games medalist and Olympian representing Canada still ranks her appearance on the basketball court at the 2002 NIAG among her fondest sporting memories.

“Fourteen years later, being able to say I’ve participated in really big multi-sport events like Pan Am Games and the Olympics, I can still look back at the Indigenous Games and be like ‘that was incredible,’” Spencer told the Toronto Star.

Since the inaugural Edmonton 1990 Games, the event has theoretically operated on a three-year cycle, alternating between Canada and the USA, however the actual celebration of events has rarely met that pattern.

The eighth instalment of the event, due to be Milwaukee 2011, was cancelled when the host society chose to withdraw their organisation in 2010 and instead host the inaugural US Indigenous Games.

In 2014 the games returned north of the border courtesy of Regina, Saskatchewan but for the 2017 event, the USA once again failed to pick up the baton.

With no bids from south of the 49th parallel, the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation stepped in.

“The games have been getting a high level of support from the government and indigenous communities because the games support several of the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation [Commission of Canada],” Games chief executive Marcia Trudeau told the Manitoulin Expositor.

“When people come together for the games it’s not just about what happens on the track, pool or field, it’s about coming together to celebrate cultural diversity — it’s a huge part of the games,” added Trudeau.

As with many of the Other Olympics, the NAIG strives to ensure its goals are met by setting the games within a wider cultural program.

This includes opportunities to for indigenous peoples to sell their traditional foods, crafts and artworks across the games village as well as the designing of a gala event to showcase performers from each of the 26 communities that participate in the Games.

“You’re celebrating sport and culture at one time at one place, it’s just incredible and it’s extremely important we keep having these games and having them regularly,” said Spencer.

Ahead of the July 16, 2017 start date, Trudeau and her team must identify enough sponsorship to cover the NAIG’s $10.1 million budget. The event will run until July 23, utilise venues built for the 2015 Pan-American and Parapan Games, and is expected to attract 5000 competitors and 2000 volunteers.