Our Haudenosaunee athletes will be disappointed to hear that the 2020 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) have been postponed until next year in light of concerns about COVID-19.
The games were scheduled to be held July 12 – 18 in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). Organizers are hoping to reschedule the event in Halifax sometime next summer, according to a statement released Tuesday.
“The collective goal for all of us at this time is to keep everyone safe and healthy,” says Tex Marshall, President of NAIG 2020. “To abide by the recommendations and guidance of the Nova Scotia government and its healthcare professionals is critical to slowing and eliminating this pandemic, even if it means the delay of something amazing. We at NAIG 2020 are proud of Nova Scotia’s remarkable and unfaltering efforts during this crisis.”
Many Haudenosaunee athletes, in both the US and Canada, compete for teams such as team Eastern Door and the North, team Haudenosaunee(New York) and team Ontario. These Onkwehon:we athletes fundraise for months, often travelling far from home, representing their communities, and working hard to bring home medals in sporting events such as wresting, golf, track, canoe, archery, rifle, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, …to name a few.
Its a long-standing tradition that First Nations people have held games all across Turtle island, — a historical philosophy that the NAIG embraced early on. The games represented the traditional roles for each generation within their native communities and how they interacted with each other, teaching important lessons on traditional values.
During the coming weeks, the NAIG Council and the NAIG 2020 team says it will be implementing options around the postponement.
The event is the largest multi-sport and cultural event ever to be held in Atlantic Canada. More than 5000 athletes, coaches and team staff from 756 Indigenous nations will take part in cultural celebrations and compete in 16 sports across 21 venues, with the help of 3000 volunteers.
The statement said the North American Indigenous Games have always been about young athletes, and the opportunity and the change sport and culture can bring to their lives. Plans include exploring ‘special concessions’ to ensure that athletes eligible to compete at the Halifax 2020 NAIG remain eligible to participate in the rescheduled Games.
By: Regan Jacobs, ATV Executive Producer
