b'SPORTING COMPETITIONSbetween competitors, the host region and others who attend is something that lasts a lifetime.The Games have continued to grow, and in 2020 they will celebrate their 50th anni-versary in Whitehorse, YT, where they are set to take place March 15 to 21. Competitive events include badminton, basketball, cross country skiing and ice hockey as well as northern sports such as dog mushing and snowshoeing. There are also arctic sports developed by the Indigenous people to showcase unique feats of strength and endurance. political leaders in 1988, the Games expe- at AWGs herself, The larger goal of theParticipants for most events are between rienced steady growth as the number ofGames is to take advantage of the cultural12 and 18 years old.participating jurisdictions increased.opportunity for fellowship between partic-ipants and host communities. ATLANTIC INDIGENOUS GAMESTheir numbers eventually grew to includeOn the east coast, the four Atlantic international participants from RussiaThe Games have broadened the horizonsIndigenous sports bodiesrepresenting and Greenland, making the AWG a trulyfor young people in the north and theirNew Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince circumpolar event. It also providedimpact has been profound. The ArcticEdward Island and Newfoundland and participants with the opportunity to meetWinter Games have a significant impactLabradorbegan discussions on creating and bond with athletes from far and wide.on the communities of the north and thetheir own Games nearly five years ago. According to Mia Val, AWG 2020 projectyoung people who compete, notes Val.Like the other sporting events, the aim manager, venues, and Dene competitorThe relationships and cultural exchangeof the Atlantic Indigenous Games (AIG) Grown-up Games: Masters Indigenous GamesWhile there are a number of sporting events targeting Indigenous youth, for many years there were few opportu-nities for Indigenous adults also inter-ested in competing in sport. The Masters Indigenous Games seeks to fill that vacuum. Launched in 2017, the tournament provides older athletesaged 20 and upan opportunity to continue competing. Intended as a next step for athletes that participated in the North American Indigenous Games, the Masters Games include the same broad range of contemporary and traditional sports, includingbadminton,basketball, canoe, lacrosse, archery, and tug of war. There is also a Cultural Village at every event where athletes and visitorsThe Masters Indigenous Games give older Indigenous athletes an opportunity to competecan learn about Indigenous cultures from around the world and watch tradi- from across North America as well ascompeting in the four-day event, with tional sports demonstrations. a handful of countries further abroad.5,000 people attending. The next Masters The 2018 Masters Indigenous Games,Indigenous Games are scheduled for The tournament brings together thou- held in Torontos Downsview Park, saw2021 in Ottawa and will be hosted on sands of Indigenous competitors600 athletes from six different countriesAlgonquin Territory. 28A CCAB PUBLICATION2020'