The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games are returning this year, with Norway House Cree Nation set to host athletes from across the province and beyond from July 8-12, 2026. This multi-sport event, which is the eighth edition of the competition, was postponed in 2025 due to a province-wide wildfire emergency that displaced thousands of Manitobans.
Organized by the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council, the games will feature 10 different sports for youth aged 17 and under. Competitors can take part in conventional athletics such as badminton, volleyball, beach volleyball, 3×3 basketball, soccer, and softball. The event also highlights culturally significant activities, including wrestling, 10,000-metre foot races, canoe races, and York Boat races.
The inclusion of York Boat races pays tribute to the host community’s history as a fur-trading post. These races are closely linked to the annual Treaty and York Boat Days, a festival that has been a staple in Norway House Cree Nation since 1973. Located approximately 450 kilometres north of Winnipeg on the Nelson River system, the community of about 7,500 people is preparing to welcome up to 3,000 athletes.
These games serve as a vital development opportunity for young athletes aiming to compete at the 2027 North American Indigenous Games in Calgary. Furthermore, the initiative is part of a broader commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action regarding the empowerment of Indigenous youth through sport and recreation.
Sponsorship packages are now open for local businesses and organizations that wish to support the event. Following the games in Norway House, the competition will continue with a second week of events held in August at the Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation.
