@naig2023.com
TK̓EMLÚPS TE SECWÉPEMC – KAMLOOPS – Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (Tk̓emlúps) and the City of Kamloops are getting ready to welcome four delegates from the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) who are coming from eastern Canada and the United States to tour sport and cultural facilities April 21-23.
They will be evaluating local facilities and hosting capacity. Tk̓emlúps is the only Indigenous led bid competing against Calgary, AB to host the 2027 Games.
Tk̓emlúps Kamloops was chosen by I·SPARC, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council in November 2022 to serve as British Columbia’s official host candidate community for the 2027 North American Indigenous Games. As a result, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops submitted their Letter of Intent to bid in December 2022 and a bid book in March 2023 fulfilling guidelines required in the bidding process.
“We are extremely proud and excited to welcome NAIG Delegates,” says Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir on behalf of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. “Tk̓emlúps and Kamloops are known internationally for our warm hospitality and well executed sport competitions, that exceed expectations of sport enthusiasts. We believe our community is the right size for youth to foster a great sense of belonging and Indigenous pride and to showcase our beautiful land and Secwépemc culture.”
As an indigenous led bid, Tk̓emlúps and the City of Kamloops are committed to working together and they have been nationally recognized for their combined commitment to reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action 87-91 specifically address reconciliation tied to Sport.
The final stage in the overall evaluation is an in-person presentation to all 26 members of NAIG Council in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on May 17th. The successful location will be announced during the 2023 NAIG in Halifax in July this year.
The North American Indigenous Games is the largest international, multi sport, and cultural event for Indigenous youth in North America. If successful, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and Kamloops will welcome up to 6,000 athletes, coaches, team staff, and cultural performers from over 756 Indigenous Nations in Canada and the United States.
The North American Indigenous Games are held every four years and use a geographic rotation when choosing the next location. The next Games will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2023. The Western region is responsible for hosting the 2027 games and the next opportunity for this region to host after the 2027 Games will not be until 2039.
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