Alberta Indigenous Games brings new sports to the table for 2023

A soccer player kicking the ball down the field at the 2023 Alberta Indigenous Games. Photo by Daniel Barker-Tremblay.

Edmonton is hosting the 2023 Alberta Indigenous Games (AIG) throughout the city Aug. 9-19. Indigenous people from all throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and even Montana are coming out to compete in 18 sports.

At this years AIG, there are two new sports for athletes to compete in, according to Jacob Hendy, CEO of the AIG. Skateboarding is making its debut: Hendy decided to add it in because of his admiration for the athletes who skateboard professionally, and his desire to give Indigenous skateboarders a place to compete. Skateboarding was also recently named an Olympic sport. Hendy says that his team believes that this is the first ever Indigenous skateboarding tournament to be held.

The other new sport is flag football. Hendy’s daughter competed in a national tackle football tournament recently, and he realized how much the sport has grown with Indigenous youth.

“It’s growing, so we’re starting flag football. We’re doing co-ed flag football this year,” Hendy said.

The first AIG took place in 2011 and has now grown into the largest Indigenous summer games event in North America, and any Indigenous youth under 21 can participate.

Hendy said he’s excited about the games and for all the youth who that travelled to Edmonton to compete. He added that they are receiving attention from the public, and that there are different vendors that have set up at venues all throughout the city.

“We got our banners, our teepees…this is the start of something that’s going to be big,” he said.

A basketball player shoots a free throw at the 2023 Alberta Indigenous Games. Photo by Daniel Barker Tremblay

When it comes to the purpose of the AIG, Hendy said that it’s all about breaking barriers and giving Indigenous youth the empowerment to pursue their passions and to compete in tournaments.

“There’s a lot of effects from intergenerational trauma, from residential schools, systemic racism, and a lot of kids have never played on an organized team sport because of that. But now they can feel connected and feel connected to their community. It’s like a big giant family,” Hendy said.