Mary Spencer is a three-time world boxing champion, a five-time Pan Am Games medalist, and an Olympian.

But one of her fondest sporting memories is of playing basketball in Winnipeg in 2002. It was then, as a teenager at the North American Indigenous Games, that the now 31-year-old Spencer got her first taste of a big event.

Even with all these achievements under her belt, she still looks back at the games fondly.

“Fourteen years later, being able to say I’ve participated in really big multi-sport events like Pan Am Games and the Olympics, I can still look back at the Indigenous Games and be like ‘that was incredible,’” said Spencer.

The North American Indigenous Games have been around for over 25 years as a way to showcase indigenous athletes across Canada and the U.S. It is hosted every three years. The next one happens in Toronto, next summer.

It’s an opportunity for young indigenous athletes to build skills that will serve them well no matter what level they end up competing at, says Spencer. And that — along with celebrating indigenous culture — is the whole point.

“When we went around town, everyone there, whether they were involved in the games or not, they knew the games were going on. They wanted to know what sport we were doing, it was really something special. I’d never experienced that up until then,” said Spencer.

The bid to host the games was brought by the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. It is also the first time the games will be hosted outside of western Canada.

Though the games are a way to help and showcase indigenous athletes across North America, it’s also a way to showcase different indigenous cultures.

“The games provide an opportunity for our indigenous communities to share our culture with other Canadians that are participating and everyone that comes together for the games,” said games CEO Marcia Trudeau at the official launch recently.

“It isn’t just about competition it’s about celebrating culture, celebrating who we are as indigenous people. The playing field is just as important as our songs, our dances, our culture, our language, so that’s what really unique about these games.”

Like Trudeau, Spencer agrees.

“You’re celebrating sport and culture at one time at one place, it’s just incredible and it’s extremely important we keep having these games and having them regularly,” said Spencer

Though everyone is thrilled about the games happening in Toronto, it also poses a challenge for Trudeau who only has one year to plan while other host committees usually have two or three.

Of course, it doesn’t bother her too much.

“What we lack in time we make up for in heart, spirit, and determination,” said Trudeau.

Michael Cvitkovic, general manager of the games, says part of the reason Toronto was chosen was because of the infrastructures already in place.

“Thankfully with the infrastructure that was built for TO 2015, indigenous athletes and coaches are going to experience these games at world class venues. We’re really looking forward to it,” said Cvitkovic

As for the experience, Spencer says it is something she will never forget.

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“I’ll never forget the opening ceremony and that feeling we all had just gathered there with your team and watching the dancers,” said Spencer.

“I can attest that these are memories and experiences that will stick with you for a lifetime.”

According to the NAIG council, there will be a total of 14 different sports including archery, basketball, canoe/kayak, lacrosse, badminton, volleyball, and swimming.