2017 NAIG  – The Host Society for the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (2017 NAIG) announced Thursday, the appointment of Marcia Trudeau as the Chief Executive Officer and Michael Cvitkovic as the General Manager.
 
“We are excited to have both Marcia and Michael as part of the team to execute this historic event for our community,” said Stephen Kwinter, President, 2017 NAIG Host Society. “With a shorter timeline than past Games, it was important for us to recruit leaders with significant Games and sport management experience, who also respect the cultural environment and inspiration these Games will provide.”
 
Trudeau brings a level of experience to the table that spans strategic investment management, sport and community development and communications, both within and outside of Indigenous communities across the country. Trudeau has demonstrated initiative and accountability in her work with Indigenous sport leaders across Ontario in establishing the Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario and as a member of the Selection Committee for the True Sport Community Fund, that dispersed $1.7 million to community sport and recreation groups to promote equitable access to Aboriginal, new Canadian and disadvantaged youth.
 
Her knowledge and understanding of Games is a tremendous advantage. Trudeau managed the Aboriginal high performance hockey program including the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, was part of Ontario’s mission staff at the 2014 NAIG and worked on the Aboriginal Sport Hero Torchbearer program with VANOC2010.
 
“The North American Indigenous Games represent strength, spirit and achievement for the Indigenous community and act as a powerful and unifying force that projects hope for future generations,” says Trudeau. “I am honored with having the responsibility to help lead 2017 NAIG and look forward to working with our team at the Host Society, all levels of government, athletes, participants, Indigenous leaders and all other stakeholders to showcase the best Indigenous Games ever.”
 
Cvitkovic brings a wealth of sport, event and venue management experience to the post. He comes to 2017 NAIG after serving as a member of the senior management team at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, a legacy venue of the Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan Am Games. Throughout his career, he has been part of leadership teams at Tennis Canada and Ontario Basketball, spent six years with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., and served a two-year stint as Sports Information Director at York University.
 
Cvitkovic’s Games involvement is highlighted by serving as Press Chief for the Canadian Paralympic Committee at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games, a television broadcaster for the CBC at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, and a member of the Core Leadership Team for Ontario at the 2011 Canada Games.
 
“The 2017 NAIG is a unique opportunity to provide a world-class sport and cultural event to thousands of Indigenous youth and make a genuinely positive impact on their lives,” said Cvitkovic. “I am inspired by the stories of these athletes and excited to help lead the execution of these Games. The power of sport will never be more true than what we will witness next summer. The infrastructure in place from the Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan Am Games, will provide our participants with a historic NAIG experience.”
 
With more than 5,000 participants and 2,000 volunteers from across North America slated to take part in the Games, and with major funding and support in place by all levels of government, the success of the 2017 NAIG is critical in continuing to inspire and provide hope to future generations of Indigenous peoples across North America.

 

Quick Facts

• The 2017 NAIG Games represents the largest sporting and cultural gathering of Indigenous peoples in North America, scheduled to take place in Toronto from July 16-23, 2017 on the shared traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, the Huron-Wendat Nation and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, with the support of the Métis Nation of Ontario.
• The Games provide Indigenous youth, aged 13-19, an opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities through 14 sports, and their heritage through a variety of cultural events.
• More than 5,000 athletes and 2,000 volunteers will take part in the Toronto 2017 NAIG.
• Venues for the Games include:
  • Allan A. Lamport Regatta Course
  • Don Valley Golf Club
  • Gaylord Powless Arena
  • Humber College
  • Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve
  • Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (jointly owned by the University of Toronto and the City of Toronto)
  • University of Toronto Scarborough Valley Fields
  • York University
• Participating teams come from all 13 Provinces and Territories, as well as 13 Regions in the United States.

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For further information, please contact:
Abidah Shirazi
Manager, Communications, Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Committee
(416) 825-3348
abidah.shirazi@naig2017.to
www.naig2017.to
 
ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES

The North American Indigenous Games is a multi-sport, multi-disciplinary event involving Indigenous youth from Canada and the United States. The Games offer 14 sport competitions in addition to a vibrant cultural program, showcasing local and North American indigenous cultural groups and entertainers. For more information, visit http://www.naig2017.to.

ABOUT ASWCO – Official Rights Holder of NAIG 2017
The Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO) is the Provincial Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body (PTASB) for Ontario and provides input and services around the North American Indigenous Games, National Aboriginal Hockey Championships and many other regional games throughout Ontario and Canada. ASWCO promotes healthy living and offers training, certifications and support for coaches, athletes and other organizations in each of the 6 regions: Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Central, Southeast and Southwest Ontario. For more information, visit http://aswco.ca.

ABOUT NAIG COUNCIL

The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Council is the International Governing Body for the NAIG exercising exclusive jurisdiction, either directly or through its affiliate members or committees, over all matters pertaining to the Games. It ensures the purposes and philosophies are reflected in all aspects of the games. The Council is also the principle authority for policy development, rules and regulations for the North American Indigenous Games. For more information, visit http://www.naigcouncil.com/about.php