Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society – Celebration begins Sunday July 16, 7:30 p.m. at the Aviva Centre
 
Toronto, ON – July 16, 2017 – Thousands of young athletes from regions across Turtle Island (North America) are set to descend on Toronto as the highly-anticipated Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (Toronto 2017 NAIG) Opening Ceremony presented by Hydro One is set to kick-off Sunday night at the Aviva Centre at 7:30 p.m.
 
Indigenous leadership, government representatives and Honored Guests will welcome more than 5000 athletes and thousands more spectators, to what will be a colourful and exciting fusion of sport and culture. With surprise entertainers scheduled to perform, the spectacular two-and-a-half-hour show will feature choreography from world-renowned dancer Santee Smith, in addition to several award-winning Indigenous musical artists representing First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities.
 
The ceremony will also feature a Parade of Athletes, uniting individuals and communities in a celebration of past, present and future. Led by some of the most celebrated athletes in Indigenous history, the ceremonial raising of the Toronto 2017 NAIG flag will mark the official start to the eight-day international multi-sport and cultural event.
 
The Opening Ceremony presented by Hydro One will be streamed by Toronto 2017 NAIG Premier Media Partner CBC/Radio Canada live at cbc.ca/naig.
 
Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society is proud to celebrate the ninth edition of the North American Indigenous Games and the first time the event will be held in the Province of Ontario.
 
Quotes
 
“As an athlete there are a few key moments that stick with you for a lifetime, one of those is standing on the podium after winning a medal and the other, is walking into the opening ceremonies with your fellow athletes, with your family and friends cheering you on, knowing that even if you don’t make to the podium, you were amongst the best. We are honoured to host all of the athletes from across Turtle Island and kick-off the celebrations with a spectacular showcase of sport and culture.”
 

Toronto 2017 NAIG Quick Facts

• From July 16-23, 2017, the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (Toronto 2017 NAIG) are expected to be the largest sporting and cultural gathering of Indigenous Peoples in North America. The Toronto 2017 NAIG will host more than 5,000 participants, and thousands of spectators for 14 sport competitions being held within world-class venues located across the Greater Toronto Area, including the Region of Hamilton and Six Nations of the Grand River.
  • The 14 core sports of the Toronto 2017 NAIG include: 3-D Archery; Athletics; Badminton; Baseball; Basketball; Canoe/Kayak; Golf; Lacrosse; Rifle Shooting; Soccer; Softball; Swimming; Wrestling; Volleyball.
• Equally important, Toronto 2017 NAIG will host two week-long cultural festivals open to the public, showcasing a variety of Indigenous artists, traditional learning, vendors, food, cultural performances and nightly entertainment.
• Participating teams represent all 13 provinces and territories of Canada, as well as up to 13 regions from the United States; more than 5,000 athletes are expected to participate.
• More than 2,100 volunteers have already signed up to be involved with 2017 NAIG through www.naig2017.to/en/getinvolved.
• The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, have each committed $3.5 million dollars to help fund the 2017 Games, in recognition of the NAIG as an important agent in promoting Indigenous sport development and recreation in Canada.
• The Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO), in collaboration with the City of Toronto and Government of Ontario, won the bid to host 2017 NAIG. As the sole rights holder, ASWCO created Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society, a separate corporation to manage and operate the Games.
• Net proceeds from 2017 NAIG will be directed to a Legacy Fund, aimed at providing increased sport, health and wellness programming, services and equipment to Indigenous youth across the Province of Ontario.

 
Acknowledgement
Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society honours the traditional lands and homelands on which the 2017 North American Indigenous Games will take place. We honour and thank the Huron-Wendat Nation, Metis Nation of Ontario, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River as our community partners and traditional inhabitants of the lands of the City of Toronto, Region of Hamilton, Durham Region and surrounding areas.
 
 
Contact Information:
Abidah Shirazi
Director, Marketing and Communications
Toronto 2017 NAIG Host Society
abidah.shirazi@naig2017.to
416-825-3348