Victoria, BC (July 12, 2021) – Following the postponement of the Halifax 2020 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, today the NAIG Council and the Halifax NAIG Host Society announced that the next Games are confirmed to take place July 15 to 23, 2023 in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) and Millbrook First Nation, Nova Scotia.

This is welcome news that we hope will inspire and motivate youth who have the goal of competing at the Games. The Halifax 2023 NAIG are set to bring together approximately 5,250 Indigenous participants from across North America to compete in the multi-sport event and to celebrate cultural heritage.

The official statement from the NAIG Council can be found here: http://www.naigcouncil.com/news_details.php?news_id=65

In addressing the impact of the postponement on NAIG Governing Rules, the NAIG Council announced the age eligibility for athletes competing at the 2023 NAIG. The age categories are:

  • 19U – born 2004 and later
  • 16U – born 2007 and later
  • 14U – born 2009 and later

The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC), the body that oversees Team BC for the NAIG, will begin planning and preparations to initiate selection processes for coaches and athletes. Coach selection processes will commence later this year and athlete selection processes will commence as early as Spring/Summer 2022 for some sports. Details will be announced as planning progresses. Stay updated by signing up for I·SPARC’s mailing list at https://isparc.ca/join-mailing-list.

We at I·SPARC especially want to acknowledge and honour the youth athletes and their families who were anticipating and preparing for the 2020 NAIG. We recognize the age eligibility news comes with great disappointment for the 2020 NAIG prospective and confirmed participants who have now aged-out from participating in the 2023 Games. We encourage these youth to reach out if they are interested in serving in a volunteer capacity to support Team BC.

We will continue to provide information and updates as they develop as well as offer ways to bring our communities together virtually in order to stay connected and to stay active. Moving forward, we will continue to provide any NAIG updates including plans for Team BC’s participation once new details and timelines are determined.