Athletes from around the world have landed in Alberta as Indigenous nations within the Treaty No. 6 Territory, which includes Maskwacis Cree, host the World Indigenous Games.
 
The Games were first held in 2015 in Brazil with nearly 2,000 delegates representing First Nations from around the globe, taking part in traditional sports and cultural activities.
 
The opening ceremonies were held last night (July 3rd) at Maskwacis Bear Park, ahead of a busy local schedule according to Maskwacis WIN Co-ordinator Holly Johnson-Rattlesnake.

“Soccer, lacrosse and basketball, and those will be held at the Ermineskin Junior High School and also the Samson High School. We also have a rodeo that will be an event on Thursday from 1-4 there will be a rodeo and then on Friday and Saturday we have the Indian Horse Relay which is a very exciting event that we’re hosting. It’s one of the first I think in this region; it’s very big in the US”.

Louis Bull is also hosting the foot races on Saturday morning (July 8th) featuring the Mexican runners.
 
Johnson-Rattlesnake explains the history of the Games.

“It’s a dream of Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild. As Indigenous peoples we have our own indigenous sports. He has this belief that people that are involved in sport always become a winner. His dream and his vision was to bring all of the indigenous peoples together and inspire them and that’s what the World Indigenous Games is about. Everybody is a winner and that’s why the acronym WIN”.

The sporting events are held alongside cultural events, academic workshops and a youth conference.

Johnson-Rattlesnake says they are hosting about 500 athletes from as far away as Russia, Panama, New Zealand and Paraguay.

The WIN Games run through Sunday (July 9th).