TK̓EMLÚPS te SECWÉPEMC – At the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Closing Ceremony in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the NAIG Council announced that the 2027 games were awarded to Calgary, Alberta.
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Calgary were competing to host these games that are expected to attract over 6,000 athletes and attendees. The NAIG are held every four years and showcase the skills of indigenous youth athletes aged 13-19 years, competing in 16 sports, who represent over 750 nations across North America.
Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir said, “While we are disappointed that Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc was not successful in their bid to host the 2027 NAIG, we would like to very sincerely congratulate the City of Calgary on their success. We, at Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, look forward to cheering on our members and other athletes from BC as they compete in the wonderful city of Calgary. I would also like to extend a huge Kukwstép-kucw (on behalf of all of us, we thank you all) to all those that supported Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc in the development of the bid: City of Kamloops leadership and staff, Premier Eby, Minister Popham, staff from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, I-SPARC and the many, many local organizations that participated in our community and provided letters of support. A special thank you to the Kamloops Sports Council, Kamloops Airport, Pacific Sport, TRU, Tourism Kamloops and Niki Remesz. We had an awesome team working with us and we should all be proud of the teamwork and what we accomplished.”
“I share with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops their disappointment at not being chosen to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games,” said Premier David Eby. “I know their heartfelt efforts will be rewarded in future. Congratulations to Calgary on a successful bid. We will be cheering competitors from B.C. at what we hope are a very memorable and successful Games.”
Mayor Reid Hamer Jackson commented that “the City of Kamloops is, of course, disappointed that Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc was not chosen to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games. The bid, site visit and final presentation were excellent. We worked together to showcase the incredible cultural opportunities and amenities we offer, but it was not our time to host. We congratulate Calgary on their successful bid and wish them an awesome Games in 2027”.
“Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc developed an outstanding bid for the 2027 North American Indigenous Games and I am proud of how the community and province was showcased. The leadership to bring this bid together with many partners was significant, impressive and unprecedented,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We look forward to future opportunities to support events and programs that develop the skills and talents of Indigenous athletes. Congratulations to Calgary for being chosen to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games and best of luck to the athletes who will be representing Team B.C.”
For more information on the North American Indigenous Games visit www.naigcouncil.com
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Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Media Contact:
Rosanne Casimir, Kúkpi7
250-819-2255
kukpi7.rosanne@ttes.ca