2027 North American Indigenous Games Age Categories and Trial Sport
The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Council is pleased to announce the following age
categories and trial sport for the 2027 NAIG in Calgary, Alberta:
Age Categories
U18 (2009 or later)
&
U15 (2012 or later)
Trial Sport
Arctic Sports
In November 2023, the NAIG Council hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the
traditional land of the Morongo Tribe in California. During the AGM, there was a facilitated
discussion around the sustainability and future of NAIG. It is important to NAIG Council that we
continuously strive to have a successful and sustainable games. The NAIG Council regularly
evaluates its policies, rules, and regulations to ensure that the games are one of the premier
multisport games across Turtle Island. Council believes that a move from three age categories
to two will help with the sustainability and risk management of the games.
The NAIG Council is also pleased to announce that Arctic Sports will be a trial sport at the 2027
NAIG in Calgary, Alberta. Arctic Sports are a collection of games, disciplines, and social events
that are an important part of the way of life in the circumpolar north and have been since the
earliest days. The games are rich in social and cultural elements designed to help build power,
strength and endurance, all part of helping people survive in the harsh realities of the Arctic.
The games also help build friendship, patience, perseverance, and leadership. With disciplines
such as the One and Two-Foot-High Kick, One Hand Reach, Kneel Jump and Triple Jump, adding
Arctic Sports to the list of competitions at the 2027 games will help develop and promote this
rich and vibrant contemporary sport.
2027 North American Indigenous Games Announce New President
February 29th, 2024, the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Council held a special
meeting (via video conference) to conduct an election for the position of President. During the
meeting, members elected Rick Brant (Region One, British Columbia, Canada) as their new
President. Rick is the CEO of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council
(I·SPARC). A Mohawk, a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Rick, and his family live
in Victoria, BC, in the ancestral and unceded territories of the ləkʷR əŋən speaking peoples (the
Songhees and Esquimalt). He has been involved with the NAIG movement since the first games
in 1990. Rick was part of the group that founded the NAIG Council in the early 1990’s and has
been responsible for overseeing three separate games inclusive of Prince Albert 1993, Victoria
1997, and Cowichan 2008. This is Rick’s second appointment as President of the NAIG Council,
originally serving from 2015 to 2018.
“I am extremely honoured to serve as the President of the NAIG Council. It’s a privilege to be
working alongside such an extraordinary group of skilled and passionate leaders from across
Turtle Island,” said Rick Brant. “Each of us have been profoundly impacted by the NAIG
movement. We are driven by the transformative power of the games and the shared
commitment to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth and our communities. I look
forward to working with our NAIG family, governments, corporate sponsors, and community
partners as we prepare for a milestone event in 2027.”
The NAIG Council would like to extend our thanks to outgoing President Mark Laliberte (Region
Five, Ontario, Canada) for his dedicated service as a longstanding member of the NAIG Council
and his leadership during his tenure as President. We look forward to working with newly
elected President, Rick Brant, as we continue to prepare for the 2027 NAIG in Calgary, Alberta.
Rick’s experience and guidance will help the NAIG Council build upon the legacy of the games
and help ensure a successful 2027 games and beyond.
Media Inquiries can be directed to NAIG Council President, Rick Brant, at rbrant@isparc.ca.
