Three levels of government support Indigenous games

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The North American Indigenous Games host society invited the press to a Jan. 21 ceremony at the Centennial Concert Hall in downtown Winnipeg where representatives of the federal, provincial and municipal governments signed a multi-party agreement that will see all parties work together to make this summer's games a success.

The games in Winnipeg will be the first since the successful Victoria games in 1997. Organizers in the Manitoba capital city expect their version to the biggest and the best ever incarnation of the sport and cultural celebration. The games scheduled for 1999 in Fargo, ND were cancelled when the host community ran into financial problems.

Sheila Copps, federal minister of national heritage, Ron Lemieux, Manitoba minister of culture, heritage and tourism and minister responsible for sport, Eric Robinson, provincial minister of Aboriginal and northern affairs and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray joined games co-chairs, former national chief Phil Fontaine and former Manitoba lieutenant governor, Yvon Dumont, in signing the partnership agreement.

"This agreement is laying the groundwork for future Indigenous Games," Fontaine said. "Never before have the three levels of government and the host society of a North American Indigenous Games formed such a partnership."

"Our mission of the games is to build bridges between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities," said Dumont. "This is an example for the rest of Canada and North America."

Up to 7,000 participants are expected to arrive in Winnipeg for the games that will last 11 days from July 25 to Aug. 4.