Cash crunch hurts Indigenous Games

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Health and welfare Canada's recent grant of $50,000 has brought the North American Indigenous Games closer to a reality.

But games' committee chairman Charles Wood said organizers have fallen short of their goal of raising $750,000 to help make the games a success.

That led to a crucial second look at the whole "indigenous games package" and the cancellation of some events, he said.

"We had planned a major powwow but because we are short on funding it has been struck. Instead we plan to use smaller performing groups," Wood said.

He said the lack of games funding also hurt athletic events.

"There won't be as many specialized events such as a couple of seimming competitions. Some had to be canceled.

"However, everything is going according to plan and the games will be held," Wood added.

The recent appointment of Harold Burden as general manager of the games, who has years of experience in management both in the private and public sector, has helped put the games back in focus.

"Thanks to Harold a lot of ethnic groups have stepped forward to work as volunteers. We need about 4,000 volunteers and are not far off that number.

"It has helped to decrease our capital requirements for judges, referees and ticket takers tremendously," Wood said.

He said about $35,000 bas been donated towards the games from various Indian bands and Native sports organizations across the country. Help is also expected from the Alberta government.

"We've been negotiating with the province and although we have received no formal indication of support, we fully anticipate they will come forward," he said.

The City of Edmonton has also lent a helping hand.

"The majority of the facilities we will use for the games are city-owned. They have been supportive," said Wood.

Games public relations officer John Fletcher said a great response has been received from athletes.

"California is sending 50 athletes, Quebec is sending 50. Saskatchewan is sending 1,400 athletes."

"I feel confident that over the next three months we will receive an even bigger response," Fletcher said.

Close to 3,000 athletes are expected to attend the games, which are scheduled to be held in Edmonton June 30-July 8.