First Nations in Manitoba join forces to revive Indigenous summer games

After a 15-year break, the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games are being revived.

The multi-sport games, which will feature youth under 17, will be co-hosted by Norway House Cree Nation and Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation.

The two First Nations were originally scheduled to co-host the games last year. But they were postponed because of the impacts of widespread wildfires in northern Manitoba.

About 3,000 athletes are expected to participate this summer. Competitions will be spread out during two separate weeks.

For starters, Norway House Cree Nation will host various events from July 8 to July 12. And Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation will stage its competitions from Aug. 10 to Aug. 15.

The sports being offered are archery, 3-on-3 basketball, volleyball, canoeing, softball, track, soccer, athletics (track and field), ball hockey and golf.

The last Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games were held in 2011 in Peguis First Nation.

Sonny Albert, the director of parks and recreation for Norway House Cree Nation, said he is uncertain why it has taken to so long to revive the games.

“We're just grateful to have something for our communities,” he said. 

Norway House and Sagkeeng Anicinabe had submitted a bid to host the games in 2023. And they were awarded hosting rights in January 2024.

“We were very excited at that time,” he said.

That excitement, however, turned into disappointment last summer when it was determined the games could not be held safely due to wildfire.

Norway House and Sagkeeng Anicinabe had fires around their territories, but weren’t impacted other than poor air quality. “So, if the wind blew a certain way, we could really feel it,” said Albert, adding that members of nearby communities were actually displaced.

“We didn't want them to rush in and just come to our community with all the disastrous effects in their communities,” he said.

Both First Nations are now busily preparing to host the games.

“Last summer, our priority was supporting families displaced by the wildfires and our Nation came together in a time of great need,” said Larson Anderson, chief of Norway House Cree Nation. “Now we look forward to shifting that same strength and unity toward welcoming young athletes from across Manitoba.”

E.J. Fontaine, the Sagkeeng Anicinabe chief, is encouraging youth from across the province to participate.

“This is a great opportunity to see more of your home province and to meet new friends,” he said. “The people of Sagkeeng look forward to welcoming thousands of athletes and visitors to our beautiful territory this summer and witnessing them write the next chapter.”

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games were first held in 1999 in Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

Albert said this year’s event is being made possible because of the support of both the Manitoba government and Manitoba Hydro.

“We're doing our best to get more remarkable partners involved,” Albert said. “We're working well with those guys as well as all the First Nation groups.”

Albert said organizers are also eager to talk to representatives from Métis organizations to get their athletes involved.

Participants can register either as individuals or as teams.

Albert said competitors will be representing one of nine regions in the province.

“Athletes should try to represent the team from their region,” he said. “But they are able to make their own teams.” 

Albert also said organizers might declare a regional champ and award a prize for the team that wins the most medals.

“We still have to decide that as a host society,” he said.

Another decision that has to be made is whether to include athletes from northwestern Ontario. If they are accepted, the Ontario athletes would form a 10th regional entry for the event.

More information on the games is available at https://2026misg.com/