(UPDATE: Feb. 1 @ 10 am) – On Tuesday, Kamloops council agreed to support Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc’s bid to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).
The city gave the green light to city staff to process the $10,000 request.
According to a report presented to staff, the money will be used to host the NAIG selection committee who will be visiting Kamloops in April.
Currently, Kamloops, Calgary and Saskatoon are all competing for the bid to host the 2027 games.
The funds will be taken from the 2023 Community and Protective Services, Tournament Capital Service Special Bids budget.
Back in September 2022, council agreed to support the bid which included providing facilities, staff time and cash contributions.
“This is the largest sporting event in the entire history of the City of Kamloops. I’m incredibly excited to do this,” said councillor Mike O'Reilly.
City staff say the games could bring more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and team staff from over 750 Indigenous Nations to the Tournament Capital.
Councilor O'Reilly also said he was excited to be working with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, adding that by supporting their bid for the NAIG, the city was supporting recommendation 88 of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.
“This is just so much more than what you’re asking here today. This will tie our community and build that social fabric that is not easy to do and sport brings community together,” noted O'Reilly.
Kamloops city council supported the recommendation unanimously.
(Original story: Jan. 28 @ 9:38 am) – Kamloops City Council will consider a request for $10,000 to support Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc’s bid to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).
In the report headed to council on Tuesday, city staff explain that a selection committee will be visiting Kamloops in April and the money will be used to host the group.
The City of Kamloops and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc would co-fund the site visit.
“To cover the City’s contribution, funding can be provided from the 2023 Community and Protective Services, Tournament Capital Services Special Bids budget,” explains the report.
In September 2022, council approved the support of the games with a contribution of up to $500,000 in the form of facilities, staff time and potential cash contributions.
The North American Indigenous Games is the largest multi-sport and cultural event hosted in Canada and the US.
City staff say the games could bring more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and team staff from over 750 Indigenous Nations to the Tournament Capital.
Sporting events would include archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, lacrosse, canoe/kayak events, golf, rifle shooting, soccer and more.
Currently, Kamloops, Calgary and Saskatoon are all competing for the bid to host the 2027 games.
The announcement of the host community will happen later this year, likely at the 2023 NAIG event in Halifax in mid-July.
Kamloops council will review this agenda item during the regular meeting at 1:30 pm on Tuesday.
