Article content

The competitions at the 2017 World Indigenous Nations Games kicked off Monday afternoon with a traditional bow and arrow event at Enoch Cree Nation reserve.

Trina Goodin, sports director for the games, said it feels amazing for Alberta to be hosting indigenous nations from around the world, a dream that was started by Treaty 6 Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or World Indigenous Nations Games offer celebration of indigenous cultures Back to video

It is the second such games, running July 2-9 across Treaty 6 territory in Alberta, and hosting indigenous athletes from 29 countries.

The games include traditional bow and arrow, canoeing and spear throwing, as well as soccer, basketball and running races.

This competition marks the first bow and arrow experience for Efrain Ortega, a 27-year-old athlete from Panama who competed with his teammates cheering him on in the stands.

Ortega said, via translator Dani Bermudez, he was very happy to be competing in Canada and have the ability to represent his country.

“I will like to win a gold medal and be one of the best of Panama,” he said.

Landon Sasakamoose, 18, from the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, is representing Canada in the games and he too competed in bow and arrow for the first time.

He said it was a great experience to meet people from around the world.

“For the past two, three days, I’ve been doing sign language,” he said of communicating with athletes from other countries. “I’m really glad I’m here.”