NAIG 2008 gets federal funding

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The federal government is doing its share to ensure the 2008 North American Indigenous Games are a success.

Canada's Minister for Sport Michael Chong announced on Nov. 3 the government is pledging $3.5 million to the event.

This support represents slightly more than one-third of the anticipated $10 million that will be required to run the games that will be held in British Columbia's Cowichan Valley.

Chong, who is also the president of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, made the announcement during a celebration in Duncan, B.C., where the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) council was staging its annual meeting.

Chong made the same announcement earlier in the day at a sports leadership conference in Vancouver. He is thrilled to see the support his government is pledging to the NAIG.

"The Aboriginal community has had a long proven tradition in sports," he said. "And our country's official summer sport, lacrosse, came from Aboriginals."

The Cowichan Valley NAIG will be held Aug. 2 to 10, 2008.

The 2006 NAIG were held in Colorado amid various organizational fiascos.

Chong said it was important for his government to display its support of the 2008 NAIG well in advance of the competition.

"We fully support these games and that's why we wanted to make our announcement so early," he said.

The $3.5 million federal pledge matches the $3.5 million the B.C. provincial government had previously announced that it would be providing in support. The host Cowichan Tribes will be responsible for the remainder of the budget, which they will obtain partly through corporate sponsorships and registration fees.

The 2008 NAIG are expected to attract about 5,000 athletes ranging in age from 13 to 19. An estimated 1,000 senior athletes (ages 20 and up) will also take part. They will compete in 16 different sports.

The games are also expected to feature about 2,000 cultural performers. In total, more than 20,000 participants and spectators are expected to attend the games.

Canada's federal government annually provides about $140 million to support elite athletes and to promote participation in sports.

"My philosophy on sport is that you need both elite excellence and broad base participation," Chong said, adding grassroots programs would likely fall by the wayside if pro programs did not exist and vice-versa.

Chong said he is pleased to see his government supporting Aboriginal athletes.

"Some of the people I always find inspirational are Aboriginal," said Chong, adding that the list of Native athletes he has admired includes legendary runner Tom Longboat, current National Hockey League player Jordin Tootoo and former Olympic canoeist Alwyn Morris.