Team BC 2023

We are very excited to announce that Calgary has been chosen to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG)!

To learn more about the Team BC program, please visit https://isparc.ca/performance-sport/team-bc/

About NAIG

The North American Indigenous Games is an international multi-sport event, involving North American Indigenous athletes from Canada and the USA, staged intermittently since 1990.  The Games are governed by the North American Indigenous Games Council, a council of representatives from 13 provinces and territories in Canada and 13 regions in the United States.

The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) promotes and encourages the cultural, spiritual and traditional values of the peoples it is representing. In their activities they promote and encourage holistic individual development that assures mental, physical, emotional and spiritual growth. The NAIG is now exclusively an event for youth athletes aged approximately 13- to 19 years.

The first Indigenous Games were held in 1990 in Edmonton, Alberta, followed by Games in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1993; Blaine, Minnesota in 1995; Victoria, British Columbia in 1997; Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2002; and Denver, Colorado in 2006; and Cowichan (Duncan) in 2008. At the 2014 NAIG in Regina, Saskatchewan, Team BC made history as the first team to be awarded both the Overall Team Award (for most medals) and the John Fletcher Spirit Award for being voted team with most integrity and sportsmanship.

2023 NAIG Resources

NAIG Sports 

British Columbia participated in the following 14 sports at NAIG: 3D Archery, Athletics (Track & Field, Cross-Country), Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Canoe/Kayak, Golf, Lacrosse (Box), Rifle Shooting, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Volleyball, Wrestling.

Please click the sport below to view more regarding the final roster, sport information, and athlete selection process. The sport rules and details can also be found in the NAIG Technical Package document, found HERE.

–

Team BC 2023 NAIG Athlete List

Please click the button below for a complete list of the Team BC NAIG 2023 Athletes and Coaches. This list has been sorted by City, for easy searching.

_

Meet the 2023 Team BC Mission Staff!

Team BC, Chef de Mission – Michelle Webster

As the Team BC Chef de Mission, Michelle is the team leader (head of delegation) for the provincial team attending the NAIG. Michelle is a member of the Namgis First Nation and was raised in the Okanagan. She has coached Team BC to a gold medal win at the 2014 NAIG as well as Team BC’s softball for the 2017 NAIG! Michelle believes in the power of sport and is passionate about providing new opportunities for young people. She enjoys spending her Okanagan summers at the lake and winters at the ski hill. Team BC is definitely in for an extraordinary adventure with the amazing Michelle as our Chef de Mission!

Team BC, Assistant Chef de Mission – Joel Harry

As the Assistant Chef de Mission, Joel works closely with the Chef to organize Team BC administration and logistical support. Joel is from Tla’amin Nation which resides in the Coast Salish territory and is a former student-athlete at Vancouver Island University. Joel not only served as a team captain with the VIU men’s varsity soccer team, but he also served as Assistant Coach for the team following graduation. As an athlete at the 2008 NAIG in Cowichan BC, Joel helped the Team BC soccer team win the gold medal! Joel strongly believes in the value of sport, and loves working in the community. He loves to coach, play soccer, and spend time with his family and friends.

Team BC, Assistant Chef de Mission – Kim Leming

As the Assistant Chef de Mission, Kim works closely with the Chef to organize Team BC administration and logistical support. Kim is Cree from Lac La Ronge, Saskatchewan, and has lived most of her life in BC. With over 20 years’ experience working with Indigenous communities & organizations in the field of sport and recreation programming, Kim is proud to have been part of Team BC support staff for the 2014 & 2017 NAIG, and now the 2023 NAIG as well! Kim is also proud to have been one of the first Team BC Indigenous female coaches to attend the 2015 Canada Winter Games in the sport of snowboarding.

Senior Manager, Team BC – Tami Tate
The Senior Manager provides leadership to the overall program implementation – overseeing team administration and coordination, logistical support, mission office, preparation and competition for athletes and coaches, as well as ensuring adherence to the sport technical packages and supporting the Chef in the training and supervision of mission staff.

Operations Manager, Team BC – Andrew Mack
The Manager, Team BC Operations is accountable for Team BC operations and logistical support regarding team preparation. The Operations Manager is responsible for organizing and implementing accommodations and athlete and coach services (accreditation, registration, phones, mission office, sport equipment, external travel and transportation, internal transportation, uniforms, and distribution).

Communications Manager, Team BC – Kylie Antrobus 
The Manager, Team BC Communications is responsible for coordinating all communications, media, social media, and the website, as well as supporting the execution of special events and VIP relations for Team BC. The Communications Manager is supported by mission staff responsible for organizing and implementing photography, results, website support, media guide, medal ceremonies, news releases, social media posts, and developing human-interest stories prior to, during, and after the Games. 

Coordinator, Team BC – Wasyn Rice
The Coordinator, Team BC Programs provides project and event support along with registration and event logistics coordination services for Team BC to participate in the Games.  

Director, Sport – Lara Mussell Savage
I·SPARC is the provincial body responsible for managing the Team BC program for the North American Indigenous Games. The Director, Sport for I·SPARC provides guidance, mentorship, and oversight to the Team BC NAIG program. The Director, Sport also supports adherence to I·SPARC’s Safe Sport policy and guidelines and supporting relationships between I·SPARC and provincial / national sport organizations.

Sport Liaisons

–

For more information on NAIG, please visit www.naigcouncil.com.

If you would like more information please, contact teambc@isparc.ca or toll-free at 1.877.711.5594