-Thirty Island athletes and mission staff will participate in the 2002 North American Indigenous Games, July 24 to August 4, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister responsible for Sport recently visited with athletes and presented a cheque for $5,000 to assist Team PEI athletes and Mission Staff at the games.
For the first time, Prince Edward Island will be represented at the North American Indigenous Games. Team PEI athletes will participate in four sporting events – Athletics, Boxing, Softball and Tae Kwon Do.
"As Minister responsible for Sport, I am pleased that we are able to support Team PEI at the 2002 North American Indigenous Games," says Minister Shea. "These games offer an exciting opportunity for Island athletes to participate in sporting events and share in cultural experiences with indigenous groups throughout North America."
The fifth North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) will bring together an estimated 8,000 participants from across Canada and the United States. The Games are the largest sporting event ever to be held in Canada.
"I would like to wish the members of Team PEI well as they compete against athletes across North America," says Minister Shea. "I am sure that you will be wonderful ambassadors for Prince Edward Island and that the Games will expose you to competitive sporting events and offer an exciting opportunity to share your culture and learn more about indigenous cultures throughout North America."
The Lennox Island First Nation Band together with the Abegweit First Nation Band assembled the team and are major sponsors for Team PEI.