Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games set to return this summer

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games will return in person this summer after a 15-year hiatus, with events in Norway House Cree Nation (July 8–12) and Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation (Aug. 10–15). The last two editions were held virtually in 2021 and 2022 and an in-person return was postponed last year because of wildfires.

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games are relaunching in person this summer after 15 years. The event brings together First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth across the province for a multi-sport festival. The last two editions in 2021 and 2022 were held virtually during the pandemic, and a planned in-person return last summer was postponed because of widespread wildfires. Organizers announced host communities, dates and registration details at a press conference. Key details: - Norway House Cree Nation will host events from July 8 to July 12. - Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation will host a second set of events from Aug. 10 to Aug. 15. - Organizers expect as many as 3,000 athletes to compete this summer. - New age divisions for 14-and-under and 17-and-under were added to accommodate athletes who missed last year. - The 2021 and 2022 Games were virtual, and last year’s in-person return was postponed after wildfires led Norway House to host roughly 4,500 evacuees. Summary: The relaunch restores an in-person multi-sport event for Indigenous youth across Manitoba and includes new age divisions and community investments such as a regulation-sized track in Sagkeeng. Registration for the Norway House events has opened, and registration dates for Sagkeeng will be announced later.