Saskatchewan bid fails to secure 2008 Indigenous Games

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Saskatchewan won't be playing host to the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in 2008-that honour will go to the Cowichan First Nation on Vancouver Island.

The Saskatchewan effort to secure the games was a partnership between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan and had the support of the City of Regina and the provincial department of Culture, Youth and Recreation.

The announcement that Cowichan, with the only other bid up for consideration, was chosen to host the games was made Oct. 22 following a NAIG council meeting held in Uncasville, Connecticut.

An announcement that Denver, Colorado will host the NAIG games in 2006 was made at the same meeting. The games were to travel south of the border in 2005, but were rescheduled when the Buffalo Sports Society, which was to host the games, failed to get its complete bid package in to the council by deadline.

The first NAIG was held in Edmonton in 1990. The games are now held every three years, with hosting duties alternating between Canada and the United States.

In a statement release by the FSIN following the council's announcement, Third Vice-Chief Delbert Wapass said the FSIN is disappointed with the council's decision but plans to send a full contingent of athletes, coaches and chaperones to take part in the Cowichan games.