b'SPORTING COMPETITIONSEach of the Indigenous Games has itsARCTIC WINTER GAMESown history that led to the establish- The Arctic Winter Games began as an ment of the event, however the reasonsidea created by sport representatives for developing these Games are quitefrom the Yukon and Northwest Territories similar. NAIG actually had its roots infollowing the first Canada Winter Games a dream developed by Indigenousin 1967. They agreed that northern juris-leaders in Alberta to have Indigenousdictions should create their own Games, young people participate in sportingwhere athletes from the circumpolar north games to show their athletic prowesscould compete in their own backyard.and highlight their cultural heritage. The first Arctic Winter Games were held in That dream was eventually realized. AfterYellowknife in 1970 with teams attending pursuing a number of smaller, regionalfrom Yukon, Northwest Territories and Indigenous sporting events duringAlaska. Since that inaugural event, they the 1970s and 80s, the first Northhave been held every two years and have American Indigenous Games were heldgone through a number of ups and downs, in Edmonton in 1990 and attracted moreespecially in the early years. However, than 3,000 athletes competing in 15with key support recommitted by northern sports. To date, NAIG have been held on 10 occasions in locations alternating between Canada and the U.S., with the next NAIG scheduled to take place July 12 to 19, 2020 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The largest attendance ever was in 2006, when the Games were held in Denver, Colorado, with more than 10,000 partic-ipants competing in 16 sports. The appeal, according to Mike Tanton, chef de mission for the Saskatchewan NAIG team, is obvious. Participating in the North American Indigenous Games [is] like going to the Olympics. For most compet-itors, it [opens] their eyes to the world and is an experience they never forget.In addition to mainstream sports, The sports include baseball, basketball,the Arctic Winter Games include traditional Indigenous activitiessoccer and swimming, as well as more traditional Indigenous activities like lacrosse, kayaking/canoeing and rifle shooting. Each category has age level divisions for competitors in their teenage years, as targeting youth continues to be an integral part of the event. Participants must be between the ages of 13 and 19 to compete. The success of the Games is based in the foundation it provides for young athletes, says Tanton, NAIG provides a sense of belonging and teaches them how to learn and grow through sports. And community support for young athletes has proved to develop Indigenous leaders of the future.There is also a cultural component that promotes the traditional ceremo-nies, food and crafts of the host terri-tory, as well as local Indigenous history, Indigenous youth programs and elder programs that feature storytelling.Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT27'