North American Indigenous Games
Games Event Date - August 3 to 10
Games Event Date - August 3 to 10
Download the Opening Ceremonies Backgrounder.
Sunday, August 3
Parade of Nations
Time: 1:00 pm
Place: Participants starting at James St parading along Canada Ave. into the Si’em Le’lum Field
Participants: 2500 Tribal Journeys cultural participants and 4850 Athletes
Opening Ceremonies
Time: 2:00 pm
Place: Si’em Le’lum Field
Highlights: Traditional Cowichan Welcome - Chief Lydia Hwitsum Official rising of the Spirit Pole
In Attendance: Secretary of State Helena Guergis Premier Gordon Campbell
Broadcast live on APTN Television
Parade of Nations:
In the afternoon of August 3, 2008, Athletes, Aboriginal Veterans, Tribal Journeys participants, Cultural Performers—over 8,000 strong—will assemble at the Athletes Centre grounds in preparation for the Parade of Nations. Each team will parade through downtown Duncan and arrive at the Opening Ceremonies grounds where they will be formally welcomed into Cowichan Territory by Chief Lydia Hwitsum and Elders of the community. Team BC will be escorted by over 100 BC First Nations, Métis and youth leaders, a first in North American Indigenous Games history.
Opening Ceremonies:
The Opening Ceremonies for Cowichan 2008 will be a community-wide celebration that is expected to draw over 20,000 participants and spectators. Traditional welcoming ceremonies, a Parade of Nations that will include athletes and cultural participants representing Indigenous Nations from across North America, and the presentation of the Cowichan 2008 Spirit Pole are just some of the highlights. The Opening Ceremonies will also offer the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the generous support of the numerous partners and sponsors of the Games, not to mention traditional drumming and singing and live performances by some of BC’s hottest talent.
Unlike other major multiple-sport events, the North American Indigenous Games have a unique emphasis on the cultures, traditions, and spirituality of Indigenous peoples. On August 3rd, the Cowichan 2008 Opening Ceremonies will become a world stage displaying the richness and diversity of First Nations/Aboriginal cultures to millions of people through the powerful medium of television, radio and written media.
Media contact for Cowichan 2008:
Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games
Alicia Maluta 250.510.1092
Sunday, August 3
Parade of Nations
Time: 1:00 pm
Place: Participants starting at James St parading along Canada Ave. into the Si’em Le’lum Field
Participants: 2500 Tribal Journeys cultural participants and 4850 Athletes
Opening Ceremonies
Time: 2:00 pm
Place: Si’em Le’lum Field
Highlights: Traditional Cowichan Welcome - Chief Lydia Hwitsum Official rising of the Spirit Pole
In Attendance: Secretary of State Helena Guergis Premier Gordon Campbell
Broadcast live on APTN Television
Parade of Nations:
In the afternoon of August 3, 2008, Athletes, Aboriginal Veterans, Tribal Journeys participants, Cultural Performers—over 8,000 strong—will assemble at the Athletes Centre grounds in preparation for the Parade of Nations. Each team will parade through downtown Duncan and arrive at the Opening Ceremonies grounds where they will be formally welcomed into Cowichan Territory by Chief Lydia Hwitsum and Elders of the community. Team BC will be escorted by over 100 BC First Nations, Métis and youth leaders, a first in North American Indigenous Games history.
Opening Ceremonies:
The Opening Ceremonies for Cowichan 2008 will be a community-wide celebration that is expected to draw over 20,000 participants and spectators. Traditional welcoming ceremonies, a Parade of Nations that will include athletes and cultural participants representing Indigenous Nations from across North America, and the presentation of the Cowichan 2008 Spirit Pole are just some of the highlights. The Opening Ceremonies will also offer the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the generous support of the numerous partners and sponsors of the Games, not to mention traditional drumming and singing and live performances by some of BC’s hottest talent.
Unlike other major multiple-sport events, the North American Indigenous Games have a unique emphasis on the cultures, traditions, and spirituality of Indigenous peoples. On August 3rd, the Cowichan 2008 Opening Ceremonies will become a world stage displaying the richness and diversity of First Nations/Aboriginal cultures to millions of people through the powerful medium of television, radio and written media.
Media contact for Cowichan 2008:
Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games
Alicia Maluta 250.510.1092
© 2007 Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games