The countdown is on.
A year from now, Halifax will host the 2020 North American Indigenous Games, an event that is expected to bring up to 20,000 visitors to the province, according to organizers.
Athletes from various First Nations communities gathered at the Grand Parade in downtown Halifax on Friday to showcase their culture and their excitement about the Games, which will be the largest multisport event ever held in Atlantic Canada.
More than 5,000 people are expected to compete in more than 15 sports next July.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for the athletes, and it’s an opportunity for the city and the province as well,” said George Marshall, president of the Games host society.
“It’s fantastic that we’re hosting the (Games) here in Halifax.”
“(This) is one of the few sporting events that are 50 per cent culture and 50 per cent sport,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to showcase the Mi’kmaq culture, but also sharing the experience and knowledge of other cultures that will be coming here.”
Emma Stevens, a young singer from Eskasoni First Nation, performed Paul McCartney’s song Blackbird in the Mi’kmaq language while the audience cheered.
“I know a lot of people in the crowd,” Stevens said. “I feel I’m showing more to our younger people and pushing their culture to a lot of people.”
During the Games, a cultural village will be set up on the Halifax Common.
“Within the cultural village, there will be displays,” Marshall said. “Arts and crafts people will have displays showcasing their talents. We’re going to have displays on language — on the Mi’kmaq language.”
There will also be displays on some of the traditional games of Nova Scotia Indigenous people.
“We have a game ... called waltes,” Marshall said. “It’s a game of chance that’s existed with our people for thousands of years, and we are going to have that on display. We’ll have experts, Mi’kmaq people, who will be teaching the game.”
The Games will take place in Halifax and at the Millbrook First Nation in Truro.
“It will be a tremendous boost for the city, the entrepreneurs and businesspeople,” Marshall said.
Halifax was picked to host the Games last year.
“I was in Montreal last year doing the bit,” Mi’kmaq chanter and dancer Beverly Jaddore said.
“It’s a very exciting day for me. It’s time for us to show our ways. The (Games) went to different native communities. ... We have that opportunity to present our people, our stories, our dances, our ways.”
Jaddore made everyone attending the event dance Koju’a, a traditional dance that Mi’kmaq people do when celebrating. She has been performing the Indigenous art with her family for a long time and danced celebrating Canada’s 100th birthday in 1967.
“We wanted the Games to come to Nova Scotia,” she said. “We worked hard making sure that we bring the trophy home, and we did.”
