Third Time is the Charm. Regina Wins the 2014 NAIG!

The Saskatchewan capital city of Regina has been chosen to host the 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) after two previous bid attempts in 2008 and 2011. The event will be organized in cooperation with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan, along with the city and the provincial government.

The North American Indigenous Games is a multi-sport event involving indigenous North American athletes. Regina will be required to accommodate more than 10,000 people, including 6,000+ athletes, coaches and other support staff. The 16 sports for NAIG have a variety of divisions for age and gender, and sports range from archery and basketball to lacrosse and rifle shooting. Regina has already successfully hosted the 2005 Canada Summer Games, so the 2014 NAIG will certainly be able to benefit from those physical legacies left behind.

The Indigenous Games “improve the quality of life for Indigenous peoples by supporting self-determined sports and cultural activities which encourage equal access to participation in the social/cultural fabric of the community they reside in and which respects Indigenous distinctiveness.” The first Indigenous Games were held in 1990 in Edmonton, Alberta, followed by Games in 1993 (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan), 1995 (Blaine, Minnesota), 1997 (Victoria, British Columbia), 2002 (Winnipeg, Manitoba), 2006 (Denver, Colorado) and 2008 (Duncan, British Columbia). The 2011 Games were to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but were canceled due to financial constraints.

Contact SIRC for more information on indigenous sport!