Young P.E.I. athletes get early introduction to North American Indigenous Games

The road to the next North American Indigenous Games began in P.E.I. on Saturday as a group of young athletes from across the province gathered to play some sports and have some fun.

NAIG takes place in Calgary in July 2027, but organizers said it's never too early to start fostering a love of sport, community and culture.

"We wanted to start the process now to identify Indigenous youth who are in the age range who could potentially try out for NAIG," said Lynn Anne Hogan, the senior program co-ordinator for the Aboriginal sports circle with the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I.

"For some, their parents, their chief, their grandparents, their friends and family may have gone, but for others this is a whole brand new experience for them."

The games take place every four years, and bring together youth athletes and coaching staff from 750 different First Nations in North America.

In 2023, NAIG in Halifax saw 5,000 competitors and coaches attend, including 29 athletes from Prince Edward Island.

Saturday's event at UPEI was meant to give the group of 30 young Indigenous people a chance to try out some sports like lacrosse and badminton, and get them thinking about trying out for Team P.E.I. when the time comes. 

"I've shown a lot of interest in volleyball, and since it's one of the sports we could do for NIAG, I'm hoping me and my stepsister could also travel to Calgary, go to new places and meet new friends," said Bria Vincent, 15, of Charlottetown. 

"It would mean a lot. I've been dreaming of volleyball and always played it for fun since I was 10."

'I want to represent my people'

For others, like 15-year-old Natalie Gallant of Morell, P.E.I., it's a chance to restart the journey to the games.

She competed in javelin, shot put and discus in Halifax, and hopes to take make either the track or volleyball teams for Calgary.

"It was really fun and I would really like to go back and compete again to see if I could make more memories just like I did two summers ago," she said.

"I want to represent Prince Edward Island, and I want to represent my people."

Organizers hope to spread the word about NAIG and grow Indigenous involvement in sports on the Island.

More events like Saturday's one will be held in the months ahead. Team tryouts will happen sometime next year.

Hogan said it's a chance to help Team P.E.I. add to its medal haul, but more importantly to create an experience they'll remember for a lifetime.

"Medals are certainly exciting [but] that's not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is to experience sport, try your best," she said.

"We want them to compete in sport, but they're going to be surrounded by Indigenous youth and coaches from 750 different nations, and that is powerful and that's the thing that they're going to remember."