2 First Nations to host return of Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games

After more than a decade, the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games are returning this July and August.

The importance of the games is not lost on Robyn Cruz, major games manager for the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council.

"It's really about making sure those kids feel safe, welcome, recognized and seen and ensuring the TRC's calls to action are recognized," she said.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls To Action 87-91 are about Indigenous access to and involvement in sports and recreation.

The games will take place in Norway House Cree Nation, about 450 kilometres north of Winnipeg, from July 9-13 and in and around Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation, about 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, Aug. 17-23.

An expected 2,000-4,000 Indigenous athletes under 16 are expected to attend the games. 

Each community will host a number of sports, demonstration sports, and cultural events.

Edward "Sonny" Albert, president of the MISG North host corporation, which is running the first week of the games in Norway House, said preparations are well underway.

"Right now the focus is on the athletes. We've provided agreements with the schools and we're preparing for our athletes village there as well," he said.

The games were last held in 2011, also with split hosting duties between Peguis First Nation and Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

1st week

Norway House will host eight sports (badminton, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, canoeing, soccer, softball, volleyball, and 10K) and two demonstration sports (wrestling and York boat racing) selected by the host committee to represent the history and culture of the community.

The York boat races reflect the history of the region during the fur trade and celebrate the Treaty & York Boat Days that are held every summer in Norway House. The wrestling competition is being held in honour of 2024 Team Canada Olympian and band member Justina Di Stasio.

The 10K will be held in honour of Joe Keeper, a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and member of the 1912 Canadian Olympic team in the 5K and 10K events.

"We wanted to make sure that we kind of provide that homage to honour our people in that sense." Albert said.

2nd week

Week two of the games will be run by the Northeastern Nations Friends of the Games, made up of Sagkeeng and the communities of Black River, Brokenhead, Hollow Water, Powerview/Pine Falls, Lac Du Bonnet and Manigotagan.

The communities will host archery, athletics, basketball, ball hockey, and golf competitions, with lacrosse as a demonstration sport.

Sagkeeng has a long and storied history with the game of lacrosse, with a number of its citizens playing at the provincial and national levels, thus the host committee chose it as its demonstration sport.

"We're looking forward to using the games to revitalize the interest in the sport again because we had some really top notch, top quality lacrosse players here at one time," said Sagkeeng Chief E.J. Fontaine.

For the athletics competition, a $600,000 rubberized track is being installed at the Sagkeeng Junior High school especially for the games, which Fontaine said is a legacy project for the community.

Fontaine said he remembers the vibe when Winnipeg hosted the Pan Am Games in 1999.

"It was just a really celebratory feeling and that's what I want to have in the community," he said.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit athletes born after Jan. 1, 2009 are eligible to participate in this year's Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games. There is also a call out for volunteers, coaches and sponsors.