NunatuKavut Community Council supports athletes participating in the North American Indigenous Games 2023

HALIFAX, NS, July 17, 2023 –The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) 2023 officially kicked off yesterday with opening ceremonies that took place at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. NCC is proud to have contributed $10,000 through the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle NL for the 16 NCC members who help make up Team Indigenous NL.

Team Indigenous NL is comprised of over 100 athletes from a number of Indigenous groups in the province (see Appendix A for the names of athletes). President Todd Russell was on hand at the opening ceremonies to cheer on the athletes from NunatuKavut and all of Team Indigenous NL. Environment and Natural Resources Director George Russell Jr. is attending the Games as well, representing NunatuKavut communities as a Director on the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle NL Board of Directors. He is also Vice-Chair of the Board.

NAIG 2023, which runs until July 23, 2023 will bring together 756 Indigenous Nations to celebrate, share and reconnect through sport and culture in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth and Millbrook First Nation. Athletes will compete in 16 different sports with three traditional Indigenous sports including Canoe/Kayak, Lacrosse, and 3D Archery.

NCC will continue to support initiatives that make a positive impact on the lives of NunatuKavut Inuit and those in the wider community.

Quick Facts

  • NAIG 2023 is the largest multi-sport games and cultural celebration to ever be held in Atlantic Canada. It will bring together more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and team staff with the help of 3,000 volunteers.
  • NCC is the representative governing body for approximately 6,000 Inuit who reside primarily in south and central Labrador.
  • NunatuKavut means “Our Ancient Land” in Inuttitut and is the traditional territory of the Inuit who belong to this territory.
  • In July 2018, NCC entered into talks with the Government of Canada on the Recognition of its Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD). In September 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed.

Quote

“NCC is so happy to sponsor the athletes from NunatuKavut who are competing in the 2023 North American Indigenous Games. We thank the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle NL for the opportunity and for continuing to support Indigenous athletes in NL. The Games provide an incredible opportunity for Indigenous peoples in this province to showcase our athleticism, sportsmanship and cultures. This sporting event unites Indigenous communities from across North America and instills such a strong sense of pride in who we are and the places to which we belong. Pitsiagit – good luck to all of the athletes.” – President Todd Russell

Associated Links

  • For further information on this and other contributions NCC has made, please visit www.nunatukavut.ca. Please also join in the conversation at Facebook.com/nunatukavut, Twitter @nunatukavut and Instagram @nunatukavutinuit.
  • To keep up with the latest on the 2023 NAIG, please visit www.naig2023.com or watch the live stream at www.youtube.com/@NAIG2023. All events except golf, archery and rifle shooting will be broadcasted. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be available to stream on CBC Gem.

Media Contact

Kelly Broomfield
Chief of Communications
T. 709-280-5965
E. communications@nunatukavut.ca

The Athletes of Team Indigenous NL

Representing Nunatsiavut:
Clear Brooke Blake-Pottle, Tristan Denniston, Jacob Dyson, Jesse Ford, Sidney Goudie, Shannon Holwell, Ella Jacque, Hanson Jacque, Keisha Kajuatsiak, Marin Lane, Olsen Ford, Aaron Porter, Cole Shiwak, Grace Tuglavina, Eric Webb, Aiden Wheeler, Jackson Winters, Kendra Winters, Shane Winters, Brianna Wolfrey, Brooklyn Wolfrey and Sierra Wolfrey.

Representing NunatuKavut:
Ashlee Adams, Adam Barney, Myles Best, Gavin Burry, Lincoln Campbell, Claire Crocker, Allan Hancock, Christopher Penney, Noah Poole, Carter Roberts, Chloe Ryan, Aidan Sampson, Philip Snow, Marcus Spingle, Brandon Stone and Braedan Warr

Representing the Innu Nation:
 Ethan Gregoire, Jaden Peter, Syska Mark-Snow

Representing the Qalipu First Nation:
Gavin Lovell, Rebekah Adey, Amy Baird, Marley Bennett, Robbie Rae Bennett, Ryan Brake, Sarah Brennan, Maggie Calahan, Ethan Connolly, Anna Cormier, Matthew Cornect, Chenoa Gabriel, Morgan Gabriel, Lucas Hiscock, Michael Hiscock, Liberty Hollet, Charity Hollett, Shantel Hurley, Keyanna Joyce, Logan Jesso, Shea MacArthur, Ethan March, Annie McCarthy-Andrew, Lucan Meade, Megan Williams, Julia Motty, Eli Moulton, Ethan Neilson, Sam O’Brien, Maria Parsons, Patrick Lucas Dobbin, Samuel Warren, Gavin Sheppard, Jessica Sparkes, Gabrielle Simon, Reid House, Griffin Simon, Madison Simon, Isaac Smith, Brooklyn Stride, Julie Walsh and Abigail Whalen.

Representing Mi’Kmaq:
Jorja Pevie, Jewel Bolan, Tristan Bullen, Isaiah Coombs, Jack Dutcher, Evan Heffernan, Jack Kendrick, Charlotte Reid, Philip Reid, Jack Sharpe, Maria Shea, Nicholas Shea, Victoria Shea, Jacob Sheppard, Brady Young.

Representing Mohawks of Kahnawakie: Carrie Butler

Representing the Dene: Katie Turner and Sarah Marie Turner

Representing Malahat First Nation: Mary Rose Shirley Strickland and Christian Daniel James Strickland.