Celebrates workshops, traditional sport demonstrations, storytelling, interactive performances, and award-winning entertainment.

Toronto, Ontario – May 21, 2018

The 2018 Masters Indigenous Games (MIG 2018) will be hosting a Cultural Village for athletes and visitors to explore and learn about different Indigenous Cultures from around the world. The Cultural Village will be located at Downsview Park, where a majority of the Games will be played. Downsview Park is a dynamic urban park that combines active and passive elements, reflecting the diverse nature of the surrounding Downsview community. The Cultural Village will be hosted in a large, natural space on the grounds of Downsview Park where vendors and visitors will be able to mingle.

“The Cultural Village is a place for all walks of life to experientially engage with the diversity, beauty and brilliance of Indigenous People from around the world. I encourage everyone to visit the vendors, participate in the wide variety of workshops and cheer on the demonstrations. The Pow Wow is going to be the highlight of the Village with an awesome traditional Smoke Dance competition that is sure to wow the crowds in attendance! There is definitely going to be something for everyone!” says Kim Wheatley, Senior Manager, Culture and Community Engagement for the 2018 Masters Indigenous Games.

The Cultural Village will also be home to a variety of traditional sport demonstrations. These demonstrations will be initially performed by experienced registered participants, followed by anyone who wishes to learn and participate. Visitors to the Cultural Village will have the opportunity to engage in archery, lacrosse, tug of war, standing kick, and teepee building. The demonstrations will take place daily throughout the duration of the Games and participants can register online to be a part of the demonstration teams. The traditional sport demonstrations are expected to be a major highlight of the Cultural Village. A number of cultural performances are scheduled to take place within the Cultural Village. The live performances will give visitors a unique introduction to a number of different Indigenous cultures. Some of the different cultures visitors will have the chance to experience are Metis, Inuit, a number of different First Nations, the Shona Tribe from Zimbabwe, and the Maori from New Zealand, just to name a few. All craft, art and food vendors for the Masters Indigenous Games will be located in the Cultural Village so all visitors will have the opportunity to stop by and visit the booths. The Cultural Village will feature a Children’s Area which will focus on giving children an educational and fun activity space to participate in volunteer-run workshops such as paper moccasin making, balloon toss, and storytelling. While taking in the Cultural Village, visitors will also have a chance to play Bingo. The Embody the Spirit Powwow takes place on the final day of the Masters Indigenous Games and includes a Smoke Dance competition and a traditional feast. The powwow will be held on the grounds of Downsview Park, and all powwow participants are invited to the traditional feast. The Smoke Dance competition will be held by traditional Haudenosaunee singers, Old Mush.

 

About the Masters Indigenous Games

The Masters Indigenous Games was founded to meet the growing need for competitive sport for adults. The Games encourage mature individuals to be active, with the awareness that competitive sport can continue throughout life, contributing to increased health and wellness. The inaugural Games will take place this coming July 12-15 and provide an opportunity for Indigenous adults from around the world, to engage in sport competition with their peers. The Masters Indigenous Games are expected to take place every two years, and like the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), are a celebration of both sport achievement and distinct cultural heritage. The Masters Indigenous Games are a direct legacy of the successful Toronto 2017 NAIG which took place in the Greater Toronto Area last July.

MIG 2018 Quick Facts:

  • The MIG 2018 will take place from July 12-15, 2018, with the majority of events taking place at Downsview Park located in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, visit www.games2021.jensengroup.ca.
  • Masters Indigenous Games 2018 (MIG 2018) will feature approximately 1000 participants, 500 volunteers, various contemporary (athletics, badminton, basketball, canoe, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball) and traditional sports (archery, standing kick, tug of war and tepee building).
  • The Masters Indigenous Games feature global Indigenous participation.
  • A cultural festival showcasing Indigenous artists, performers, sport demonstrations, storytellers and vendors, will be located at Downsview Park and free and open to the public throughout the Games; for vendor information, please visit www.games2021.jensengroup.ca/culture-events/.
  • The MIG 2018 will also feature a closing Powwow, with Dance Specials and a Community Feast on the last day of competition.
  • The MIG was founded by the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO), the official Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body for Ontario.

Acknowledgment

The Masters Indigenous Games 2018 honours and acknowledges the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. The Masters Indigenous Games 2018 also acknowledges all Indigenous Peoples and communities across the province of Ontario, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, living both on and off reserve, in rural and urban communities.

 

Contact Information

MIG 2018 Communications Team

mastersindigenousgames@aswco.ca