North American Indigenous Games (1997 : Victoria, B.C.)

Corporate body

North American Indigenous Games (1997 : Victoria, B.C.)

1997

The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) is a sporting event for indigenous North American athletes which started in 1990. The games are held every two to five years at a different North American venue. The mission of the games is to improve the quality of life for Indigenous peoples by supporting self-determined sport and cultural activities which encourage equal access to participation in the social and cultural fabric of the community they reside in and which respects Indigenous distinctiveness. The 1997 North American Indigenous Games were held August 3-10, 1997 in Victoria, British Columbia. Nearly 5000 Aboriginal athletes from nine Canadian provinces and territories and 18 American states participated in 16 summer sports including archery, athletics (track and field), badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, canoeing, gold, lacrosse, rifle shooting, soccer, softball/fastball, swimming, tae kwon do, volleyball and wrestling. The games were co-hosted by the Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC (ASRA) in conjunction with the North American Indigenous Games Council and the First Nations peoples of BC. The Executive Director of the North American Indigenous Games, Victoria, B.C. was Alex Nelson, the General Manager was Rick Brant and the head office was situated in Saanichton, BC. The 1997 NAIG consists of two major program components; a sport program and a culture program. Funding partners included the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, Indigenous Communities of North America and various community sponsors and partners. The function of the head office was to manage all aspects required for the 1997 North American Indigenous Games, including finance and administration, marketing, sport, culture and volunteers.

Created Khughes 2008-05-12

Name taken from the records of PR-2212, 1997 North American Indigenous Games fonds.