Thousands of Indigenous athletes are getting set for the opening of the 2023 North American Indigenous Games in Nova Scotia.
The games are the largest continental sporting and cultural gathering of Indigenous Peoples and are taking place between July 15 to 23 in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, Millbrook First Nation, Sipekne’katik.
APTN News is live on location and will be sharing the latest coverage from the games.
Our Coverage
Highlights from the 2023 North American Indigenous Games
Darrell Stranger | July 21, 2023
APTN News and Sports with Stranger host Darrell Stranger has been in Halifax for the entire week of competition.
He joins us now for his look back at some of the highlights.
A look at the gold medal track and field athletes at NAIG
Darrell Stranger | July 21, 2023
The North American Indigenous Games are now in the final days of competition and final events are being completed, including in track and field.
Here’s a look at some of the gold medal winners.
Canoe and kayak athletes paddle to gold at the North American Indigenous Games
Darrell Stranger | July 21, 2023
The canoe and kayak races have wrapped up at this year’s North American Indigenous Games.
These are a few of the athletes that paddled to gold at this year’s games.
Maritime climate adds extra challenge for golfers at North American Indigenous Games
Chris Stewart | July 21, 2023
Yesterday was the final medal round of golf as four age categories played for gold at the North American Indigenous Games.
Athletes told APTN News that the Maritime climate made playing conditions less than ideal.
Team Manitoba joins the playoffs at the North American Indigenous Games
Angel Moore | July 21, 2023
Fans watched the ‘nail-biting’ game that ended team Nova Scotia’s winning streak…Full story
Hard work, perseverance key to Manitoba’s 19U male soccer team success
Darrell Stranger | July 20, 2023
It’s no secret hard work leads to success in all walks of life, and that statement could not be truer for Manitoba soccer player Devon Evans…Full story
NAIG softball teams played day two at the Halifax Commons Fields
Chris Stewart | July 20, 2023
Team Mi’kmaw Nova Scotia played Team British Columbia on a hot and muggy day at NAIG.
The 19U Male softball teams featured good pitching and defensive plays, but it was Team Mi’kmaw Nova Scotia who took the game with a score of 9-6.
16U Female badminton teams play in NAIG preliminaries
Chris Stewart | July 20, 2023
Badminton is continuing at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax.
The 16U Female teams from Nunavut and Saskatchewan played in the preliminaries.
Battle for the north as Yukon and N.W.T. face off in badminton as NAIG
Chris Stewart | July 20, 2023
In the 16U Male badminton doubles event at the North American Indigenous Games, Team Yukon went against Team Northwest Territories in a battle of the north.
Wrestling finals at North American Indigenous Games
Darrell Stranger | July 20, 2023
Wednesday evening saw the wrestling finals take place at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax.
Nova Scotia and Sask. square off in U16 basketball at NAIG
Chris Stewart | July 19, 2023
Host Team Mi’kmaw Nova Scotia squared off against Team Saskatchewan earlier this week in 16 and Under basketball at the North American Indigenous Games.
Competitors in U16 rifle shooting at NAIG improve over day one
Chris Stewart | July 19, 2023
The 16 and under female three-position rifle shooting completed the second round at the North American Indigenous Games.
Participants shoot at targets from three different positions: prone, kneeling and standing.
Enthusiastic crowds cheer on volleyball players at North American Indigenous Games
Chris Stewart | July 18, 2023
The official competition started yesterday at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax.
Several sports including volleyball opened to enthusiastic crowds.
Nova Scotia box lacrosse team wins 7-5 at the North American Indigenous Games
Darrell Stranger | July 18, 2023
Box lacrosse is one of the three traditional Indigenous sports at this year’s North American Indigenous Games in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia…Full story
Team Alberta’s final preparations in their quest for gold medal at NAIG
Darrell Stranger | July 17, 2023
One of the first sports kicking off the North American Indigenous Games is soccer.
With each pass and kick of the ball Team Alberta is putting the final touches on preparations ahead of their quest for a gold medal.
Prime minister paddles across lake as part of North American Indigenous Games kickoff
Angel Moore | July 17, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paddled his way across a lake in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on Monday morning to help kick off the North American Indigenous Games.
One athlete’s journey from his small First Nation to the North American Indigenous Games
Karli Zschogner | July 17, 2023
Athlete Jordanson Nash’s journey to the North American Indigenous Games began in northwestern Ontario.
He’s now in Halifax with three other youth, representing their small First Nations at the games.
Lighting of sacred fire signals start of the North American Indigenous Games
Chris Stewart | July 17, 2023
The North American Indigenous Games opened on Saturday with the lighting of a traditional fire.
The sacred fire will burn until the games closing.
NAIG opening ceremony brings thousands of spectators, athletes together
Darrell Stranger | July 17, 2023
Sunday night saw more 10,000 spectators combined with over 5,000 athletes pack into the Scotiabank Centre for the North American Indigenous Games opening ceremonies.
Competition underway at North American Indigenous Games in Halifax
APTN National News | July 17, 2023
The North American Indigenous Games are underway in Halifax from July 15 to 23.
This is the first time the Games – also known as NAIG – have been held in Mi’kma’ki….Full story
Youth prepare to compete on the water at the North American Indigenous Games
Darrell Stranger | July 14, 2023
Many people are flocking to the water for a chance to cool off this summer.
A group of Indigenous youth in Manitoba is doing just that – but for them, it’s all work and little play as they prepare to compete at the North American Indigenous Games.
Team Yukon gets ready to head to North American Indigenous Games in Halifax
Sara Connors | July 14, 2023
For many teen athletes on Team Yukon, the North American Indigenous Games is a once – maybe twice – in a lifetime opportunity.
That’s why the send-off to what’s often coined the “Indigenous Olympics” was celebrated with a pep rally…Full story
Cree athlete excited to see the ocean for the first time at NAIG
Priscilla Wolf | July 14, 2023
Halena Buffalo from Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation will be playing soccer for Team Saskatchewan at the North American Indigenous Games.
She has never seen the ocean or been to Halifax, so she’s excited to see both in the next few days.
16-year-old twins will compete in the North American Indigenous Games
Priscilla Wolf | July 11, 2023
Sixteen-year-old twins from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation in Saskatchewan are getting ready to head to the North American Indigenous Games.
Mikal and Michael Bird say sports keep them busy, motivated and on the right track.
NAIG Chair shares what to expect at the upcoming games
Darrell Stranger | July 10, 2023
North American Indigenous Games Chair Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons sat down with APTN National News to share what to expect during the upcoming games in Nova Scotia.
What you need to know about NAIG
Darrell Stranger | July 10, 2023
The North American Indigenous Games are set to begin July 16 in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) after being pushed back numerous times due to the pandemic.
This year’s NAIG will see over 5,000 athletes from over 750 different Indigenous nations compete.
Mi’kmaw Liberal MP discusses feds $9M funding announcement for NAIG
Dennis Ward | July 7, 2023
The federal government recently announced more than $9 million in funding for the upcoming North American Indigenous Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Liberal MP Jaime Battiste was there and joined Dennis Ward to discuss the funding.
Western Arctic Aklavik Youth set to represent N.W.T. for volleyball at 2023 NAIG
Karli Zschogner | Jun 28, 2023
In the small Western Arctic-MacKenzie Delta community of Aklavik, two teens are busy practicing and fundraising to join NWT team for volleyball… Full story
Traditional Mi’kmaw birch bark canoe travels Nova Scotia ahead of NAIG
Angel Moore | June 20, 2023
Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia are celebrating the upcoming North American Indigenous Games.
A canoe relay is making stops in Mi’kmaw nations throughout Nova Scotia before the games begin in July – the first time the event has been held Mi’kma’ki.
Indigenous youth prepare for North American Indigenous Games
Angel Moore | March 28, 2023
Two Indigenous youth in Labrador are training for the upcoming North American Indigenous Games.
APTN’s Angel Moore caught up with them as they prepare to play for the Newfoundland Labrador basketball squad.