Norway House Cree Nation and Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation in Manitoba are set to host the 2026 Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games this July and August, marking the return of the event after a 15-year break. The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council (MASRC) says over 4,000 Indigenous athletes, coaches, and officials from across the province will take part, including competitors from Garden Hill First Nation and other Island Lake communities.
Phase 1 of the Games runs July 8 to 12 at Norway House Cree Nation, about 450 kilometres north of Winnipeg. Sports on the schedule include badminton, volleyball, beach volleyball, 3×3 basketball, soccer, canoe, softball, wrestling, 10,000-metre foot races, and traditional York Boat races. Phase 2 moves to Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation, around 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, from August 10 to 15, with archery, athletics, basketball, ball hockey, golf, and lacrosse.
The Games were originally planned for summer 2025 but were postponed after wildfires forced a province-wide state of emergency in May 2025. Norway House Cree Nation alone took in about 4,500 evacuees from nearby First Nations during that crisis. MASRC and the host communities decided to delay the event a year to ensure safety and give communities time to recover.
The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games started in 1999 at Opaskwayak Cree Nation and last took place in 2011. Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic forced some virtual events, but this is the first full in-person gathering in 15 years. Athletes must be First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, hold a band membership or citizenship card from a First Nation or Indigenous government within the colonial borders of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario, and be a permanent resident in Manitoba or Northwest Ontario.
For Garden Hill First Nation, located 610 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg in the Island Lake region, the Games offer a chance for young athletes to compete on a larger stage and connect with peers from across Manitoba. The event highlights both modern and traditional sports, giving communities a way to celebrate Indigenous athletic achievement and culture.
