Three years of hard work begins for NAIG hosts

Officials from Regina and Saskatchewan are in a celebratory mood.

But they also realize they have three years of hard work ahead of them as they prepare to host the 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).

The NAIG Council awarded Regina the multi-sports competition after final bid presentations were made in mid-May in Moncton.

Two other cities–Halifax and London, Ont.–had also submitted bids to host the continent’s showcase competition for Aboriginal athletes.

Each city that was keen to host the 2014 NAIG had to undergo a three-step stage.

For starters, cities had to submit a bid book last October. Then, they were allowed to showcase their city and plans during site evaluations, which were conducted in March. The concluding step was the presentations held in Moncton.

“In each of the three phases, I think we had the highest score,” said Courage Bear, the chair of the Regina bid.
Besides city officials, the Regina bid also included the backings of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), Métis Nation—Saskatchewan and the provincial government.

Ken Cheveldayoff, the minister of First Nations and Métis Relations, had been kept informed of the Regina bid from the start. And he was among those who represented the Regina entry during its final bid presentation in Moncton.
As a result, he wasn’t the least bit surprised when Regina was awarded the NAIG.

“We knew we had a strong proposal and we had a strong team,” he said.

This actually marked the third time Regina had submitted a bid to host the NAIG.

The city was originally keen to stage the 2008 games. But that event was held in Cowichan, B.C.

Regina had also vied to host the 2011 NAIG, which was awarded to the Wisconsin city of Milwaukee. But this year’s games were cancelled last summer when Milwaukee pulled out as host and a replacement site could not be found.

Bear said the Regina group this time around did not feel the NAIG Council would grant it the games simply based on the fact it had tried twice before to land the prestigious competition.

“We took nothing for granted,” he said. “Our attitude was ‘be prepared and work hard’.”

Despite its previous two setbacks at hosting the NAIG, FSIN Vice Chief Morley Watson felt it was rather important for Regina to try once again.

“We believe in all of our young people and sport is a builder of character,” he said.

Saskatchewan will have a maximum of 500 participants at the 2014 NAIG.

In total, the competition will be capped at 5,000 participants, which besides athletes also includes coaches, managers and support staff.

Organizers are anticipating 10,000 people, however, will converge on Regina as many family members and friends will travel to the NAIG.

The games are expected to feature 15 sports. The athletes taking part will range in age from 15 to 19.

Though the competition will be staged during two weeks during the summer of ’14, exact dates have not been announced yet.

One thing that is known though is that it will cost about $10.5 million to stage the games.

The Saskatchewan government and the federal government will provide $3.5 million each in funding. Plus, an additional $1 million will be forthcoming from the city of Regina.

Organizers also anticipate bringing in about $800,000 in registration fees.

“That’s almost $9 million we’ll have without even going after corporate funding,” Bear said. “We’ll work hard though to make sure we have everything in place.”

Another thing that is known is that the First Nations University of Canada will play a vital role for the NAIG. The Regina-based university is expected to house the athletes village as well as the media centre. The school will also be the site of many of the cultural components of the games.

Another school, the University of Regina, will also be a hub of activity. It will be one of the main venues where several sports are expected to be staged.

It is believed that the majority of the NAIG sports will be contested in Regina. Organizers though believe that rifle shooting and archery will be held outside the city’s limits.
Bear said that in the coming months some of the priorities include establishing a host society. That group will have to also become incorporated and then begin its work on its business plan.

Once 2014 does roll around, Bear estimates the economic benefits to Regina from the games will probably be between $20 million to $25 million.