On Jan. 30, 2026 the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) urged young athletes from its member nations, including Sandy Bay First Nation, to register and begin preparations for the 2026 Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games (MISG). The games are the first full provincial Indigenous multi-sport competition in more than 15 years (the last full MISG was held in 2011) and were postponed from 2025 after widespread wildfires across the province.
Athletes roughly aged 10–18 are expected to take part in a range of sports with a particular emphasis on basketball. The SCO has committed $1.5 million to help remove financial barriers for Treaty 1–7 athletes — to subsidize travel, equipment and registration — and reporting around earlier media coverage indicates that approximately $1 million of SCO funding has been targeted at growing basketball programs in the Southern Nations; organizers should be asked to confirm the exact allocation.
The competition will be held in two parts over the summer: Week 1 at Norway House Cree Nation from July 8–12, 2026, and Week 2 at Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation from August 10–15, 2026, according to the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council (MASRC).
Local athletes in Sandy Bay can register in person through the Sandy Bay First Nation Recreation Department — at the Sandy Bay Community Complex or arena office — or online via the official MASRC/MISG registration portal. Identification camps and tryouts are expected to begin in late February; registration typically requires a Treaty Number and proof of age.
MASC R and community leaders say the MISG will help develop athletes and serve as a pathway toward larger competitions such as the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), while promoting youth wellness, cultural pride and community connection.
For the most current details on registration, team tryouts, and funding allocations, contact the Sandy Bay Recreation Department, the MASRC 2026 MISG hub, or the SCO communications office for confirmation and any updates to schedules or eligibility rules.
