Dal welcomes athletes to campus for the North American Indigenous Games

Beginning this Saturday (July 15), all across Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, Millbrook Mi'kmaw Community, and Sipekne'katik Mi'kmaw Community, a truly exceptional gathering and celebration is coming together.

More than 750 Indigenous Nations from all corners of Turtle Island are uniting to bring over 5,000 participants to the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) — the largest multi-sport event ever hosted in the city.

Originally scheduled for 2020, the NAIG have finally arrived — and Dalhousie is proud to play a part in making it all possible.

Beginning this week, more than 1,110 athletes, coaches and staff will be staying on campus, living in residence and dining in meal halls while they take part in the games. They’ll have access to campus tours and programming through Dalhousie’s Indigenous Student Centre.

Dal is also a sporting venue, hosting swimming and basketball events at the Dalplex and Sexton Gym. And the Faculty of Architecture and Planning has also collaborated with NAIG organizers and Mi’kmaq communities on the Brave Space project. The Brave Space on the Studley quad and other Dal venues, such as the Indigenous Student Centre, the Ko'jua room and the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space in the Killam Memorial Library, will provide participants with safe and comforting places to reconnect, regroup, and reground on campus.

In a message to the Dal community, Acting President Frank Harvey, Vice-Provost Equity & Inclusion Theresa Rajack-Talley, and Director of Indigenous Community Engagement Catherine Martin thanks everyone at Dal for their working in welcoming and supporting visitors during the games and invited all members of the Dal community to take part in making the 10th North American Indigenous Games a success.  

“We encourage all members of our Dalhousie community to do everything they can to act as allies and create a warm and welcoming environment for participants who may be travelling away from home or staying on their own in residence for the first time,” they said.

“Whether through simple actions like providing directions or answering questions, by attending a sporting event on campus, or by visiting the Cultural Village at the Halifax Commons, there are many opportunities to showcase our Dalhousie hospitality and commitment to inclusivity. This is also a wonderful opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the significance of the Games and to celebrate sport and culture with the Indigenous community.”

Anyone who wants to enjoy the Games may attend events free of charge and without tickets — including swimming and basketball events on campus. For more information about the NAIG games, visit naig2023.com.