Manitoba Indigenous Games: Vision and Goals

The Vision

Employees of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) Recreation Department initiated the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games (MISG) in the winter of 1998. The Games were developed to provide competition for the youth at a provincial level amongst First Nation and Metis. OCN had been successfully running the Swampy Cree Tribal Council (SCTC)/OCN Summer Games for the last two years and now looked at going one step further to the provincial level. This would increase the calibre of the competition and in turn increase their competitive level at the open provincial levels.

The Games were developed to address problems created by the lack of activities provided to Aboriginal youth. The purpose of the Games is to:

• Develop the quality of life for Aboriginal Youth.

• Enhance the athletic abilities of Aboriginal Youth.

• Provide an atmosphere that promotes harmony and community spirit through Sport, Culture and Recreation.

• Present a provincial showcase of Aboriginal culture and athletics to increase public awareness and support.

• Increase Aboriginal participation in areas of Sport, Culture and Recreation.

• To make the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games an annual event.

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games was initiated to address the needs of youth in all Aboriginal communities of Manitoba with the idea being born on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. As a leader in sport development amongst First Nations in Manitoba, the OCN Recreation Employees saw a need to address the need for provincial competition amongst Aboriginal youth.

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games will provide Aboriginal people with the opportunity to create new friendships, skills, goals and dreams to take them successfully further in their lives.

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games will surpass goals and objectives set by the planning committee that will create a lasting legacy in the province of Manitoba. Since its inception, the Peguis First Nation and Pimicikamak (Cross Lake) Cree Nation played host to this event growing from an estimated 600 participants in OCN, 900 in Peguis and 1100 in Pimicikamak. The staging of the 2003 MISG has the potential of increasing to 1400 participants.

The Manitoba Aboriginal Sport & Recreation Council Inc. has been given the MISG to ensure its continuation into the future. The MASRC hopes that it can build on the success of the 1999 event and has done so simply through the increasing number of participants registering for the event each summer. The MASRC has kept the original vision, goals and code of ethics out of respect of those who initiated the plans for this exciting event. We are proud to be the governing body for this event.

Goals

• Increase Aboriginal participation in the events of Sport, Culture and Recreation.

• Promote Alternative Lifestyles through Sport, Culture and Recreation.

• Solidify the athlete base of Aboriginal Youth.

• Provide a forum that promotes harmony and community spirit through Sport, Culture and Recreation.

• Present a Provincial Showcase of Aboriginal athletes that increase public support and awareness of Sport, Culture and Recreation in Manitoba.

• Promote the development of infrastructure for Aboriginal communities in the area of Sport, Culture and Recreation.

• Promote Aboriginal communities through hosting the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games.

• Develop minimum coaching standards for chaperones participating in the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games.