Cowichan, BC – After a week of competitions at the Kjipuktuk (Halifax), 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), Team BC delivered an exceptional performance securing an impressive total of 159 medals (53 gold, 62 silver, 44 bronze) across 14 sports. Throughout the NAIG, Team BC showcased the exceptional talent of Indigenous athletes from across BC. The outstanding performances earned Team BC second place in the overall team standings – just 17 medals behind Team Saskatchewan, and 31 medals ahead of Team Ontario.

“I am so proud of Team BC,” said Michelle Webster, Team BC’s Chef de Mission. “It has been a great honour to serve Team BC for the 2023 NAIG. Thank you to the Host Society for their efforts in making this NAIG experience a memorable one for all the participants. GO TEAM BC!”

The 2023 NAIG brought together Indigenous athletes from across Turtle Island to celebrate their culture and showcase their athletic abilities. Team BC’s outstanding performance was a testament to the talent, dedication, and hard work of the athletes, coaches, families, and mission staff. Throughout the week-long event, spectators and participants experienced impressive displays of skill, sportsmanship, and unity, which left a lasting impact.

“Team BC athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents, and mission staff are to be congratulated on their success following the NAIG 2023,” said The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) President, Corinne McKay. “The Host Province and Community of Kjipuktuk (Halifax) were excellent and gracious hosts. We note they are currently challenged with flooding and offer our best in their recovery efforts to the communities affected. We know the investment in the lives of our athletes will reap positive results for their future opportunities.”

In preparation for the 2023 NAIG, I·SPARC, in collaboration with its Provincial Sport Committees and several Provincial Sport Organization partners, established a comprehensive process to select and prepare a contingent of 535 Indigenous athletes and coaches that represented British Columbia at the Kjipuktuk (Halifax) NAIG. The process included the 2022/23 season of the BC Indigenous Provincial Championships and Athlete Development Camps.

I·SPARC gratefully acknowledges both the Province of British Columbia, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport and the Government of Canada for their generous support of the Team BC program for the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).

For more information about Team BC’s NAIG program visit https://isparc.ca/performance-sport/team-bc/ 

For information about the Kjipuktuk (Halifax) 2023 NAIG, please visit https://naig2023.com/

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Photos available upon request.

Media contact: 
Kylie Antrobus
Team BC, Communications Manager
kantrobus@isparc.ca
250-886-6225
www.isparc.ca