The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) were first held in 1990, hosted by the city of Edmonton, Alberta, but the concept had its genesis back in 1971 when the Native Summer Games were held in Enoch, Alberta. The games allow Indigenous athletes to demonstrate their skills while encouraging personal growth in body, mind and spirit. The 2023 games mark the tenth official event and brings together 756 Indigenous Nations to compete and celebrate their shared heritage. NAIG’s mission “is to improve the quality of life for Indigenous Peoples by supporting self-determined sports and cultural activities which encourage equal access to participation in the social / cultural / spiritual fabric of the community in which they reside and which respects Indigenous distinctiveness.”