BEMIDJI, Minn. -- The Northern Indigenous Games will take place for a week in April, from Minneapolis to Bemidji. The events feature indigenous athletes and coaches presenting traditional games played by various cultures throughout North America.
"These games are centuries old, and are continuing to be played by the indigenous people," said event director Dan Ninham of Red Lake. "We are providing an outstanding opportunity for people of all races to actively participate in and observe these games."
Plans also include an indigenous games instructor, official and games management certification program administered by Ninham.
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Major influences to host these events are from current programs that take place throughout the world. The inaugural World Indigenous Games were in Brazil last fall, featuring indigenous athletes participating in their games. The North American Indigenous Games feature indigenous people playing contemporary games.
The events are non-competitive, and no awards will be provided. Indigenous games have historically been played to honor someone in a community, to be a part of the healing process, to train for warfare and to settle differences.
Minneapolis South High School will be the first to host the tour of Northern Indigenous Games on April 17. Other locations will be Upper Sioux Community, Granite Falls on April 18; Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Onamia School District on April 19; White Earth Nation on April 20; Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Walker Hackensack Akeley School District on April 21; Red Lake Nation, Red Lake on April 20 and Red Lake Nation, Ponemah on April 21.
During the school week, guest indigenous games instructors will present in physical education classes. An after school session is also planned in each community.
Bemidji State Univeristy will be hosting the Northern Indigenous Games from April 22 to 24. A film screening will be on April 22 at the BSU American Indian Resource Center, featuring Brown University doctoral student, filmmaker and former NJCAA National Cross Country Champion Angelo Baca (Navajo/Hopi). The center will also host a symposium on April 23 featuring indigenous perspectives of the indigenous games. Nine people from seven different tribes will present for 15 minutes each on the sociocultural significance of their activities on April 24 at the BSU Chet Anderson Field and other fields on campus.
Pre-registration is required to participate in the BSU hosted events, including the film screening, symposium and indigenous games. All events are free. For a schedule and registration form, visit www.honorearth.org/northerngames . For additional information contact Dan Ninham at (218) 368-6430 orcoach.danninham@gmail.com .
