With members of the North American Indigenous Games Council in attendance, the provincial government announced a commitment Monday of $3.5 million to support a local bid to host the Games in 2020.
The money represents 35 per cent of the Games budget.
The bid, led by the Songhees Nation, would bring the event to Vancouver Island for a third time following stops in Victoria in 1997 and the Cowichan Valley in 2008. Games council members have been touring the region for the past few days looking at facilities and venues.
Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax also submitted bids. The host city will be chosen in May.
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Scott Fraser said the government is offering support in addition to the financial contribution.
“In addition, our government recognizes that a cultural program is an integral and critical part of the North American Indigenous Games,” he said. “For that reason, we will be requesting a proposal from the host committee to support a cultural program as a lasting legacy to these Games.”
The 2020 Games are expected to attract 5,000 athletes, aged 13 to 19 years, as well as 300 cultural delegates. Making the event happen will be a team of 1,500 volunteers.
“We want to provide ways to engage Indigenous youth in sport so they can enjoy its many benefits, because sport can have an impact well beyond an athletic career,” Fraser said. “Hosting of the 2020 Games in British Columbia will have far-reaching impacts for athletes, for coaches, communities, our province and our nation.
“We believe the Games will help close gaps in health, in education, in skills training and employment, and will improve the quality of life for Indigenous people in our province and beyond.”
Songhees Chief Ron Sam told the crowd gathered at the B.C. legislature for the announcement that sport has played an important role in his life, and he sees the confidence and pride it creates in his own children and other young people.
“I’m very proud to be a small part of putting this forward on behalf of Lekwungen 2020 — that is the name our bid — but it’s also on behalf of the Victoria region as a whole.”
He said support has been overwhelming, including backing from municipal councils and particularly the City of Victoria.
“I lift my hands to all of them and to our bid committee,” Sam said. “I also thank the province, who stands here with us.”
He introduced lacrosse player Michael Maresca, who won a bronze medal at the 2017 Games in Toronto.
The 20-year-old said any athletic success he has had is due to the support of his parents, and also thanked his teammates and coaches.
“The Indigenous Games meant a lot to me for a few reasons, like meeting so many great people,” he said. “I also got to experience lacrosse at a very high level.”
