Indigenous Affairs Minister Lisa Dempster says Team Indigenous NL are true ambassadors

Tuesday, 25 July 2023 12:00

By Tonya Organ

Minister Lisa Dempster says the cultural exchange was very moving.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Lisa Dempster says athletes who represented this province at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) were true ambassadors. More than 100 Mi’kmaw, Inuit and Innu athletes wore the colours of Team Indigenous NL and competed in golf, swimming, volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, badminton and athletics. They came home with 40 medals, which included 10 gold, 14 silver and 16 bronze medals. Minister Dempster says it was the biggest sporting event in Atlantic Canada so far. “Nova Scotia really outdid themselves in hosting this event with 5,000 athletes and 4,000 volunteers from 756 nations, “ she says. “There was no stone left unturned for the opening.” Minister Dempster says the cultural exchange was very moving. “We heard some very powerful stories from the youth and how sports saves lives, “ she says. “One of them said sports saved mine and we have to continue to support youth.” Team Indigenous NL finished ninth in the ranking of delegations.