Halifax (also known by its Mi’kmaq name, K'jipuktuk) will become the first city in Atlantic Canada to host the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in 2020.

In a release from Premier Stephen McNeil’s office Thursday afternoon, he and Halifax Mayor Mike Savage extended congratulations to the Mi'kmaq Sport Council of Nova Scotia on their winning bid.

The decision was announced Thursday in Montreal. Halifax won over competing bids from Ottawa and Victoria, the release said.

"It is an honour for Halifax to help make the 2020 NAIG the biggest sporting event our municipality has ever experienced," Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said in the release.

Norman Bernard, chief of Wagmatcook First Nations and president of the Mi'kmaq Sport Council, said the group is “honoured” the North American Indigenous Games Council has selected Nova Scotia to host the 2020 games.

"I am confident the games will provide opportunities for all Nova Scotians to learn more about the contributions of our Mi'kmaw and Indigenous culture across the province and North America,” Bernard said.

The event is slated to be the “largest multi-sporting event to be held in Nova Scotia” and also marks the first time the games will be hosted in Atlantic Canada, the release said.

The province has already committed $3.5 million to support the games. The event will take place over eight days and include more than 5,000 Indigenous participants from over 756 nations in 15 sporting events.

Events will be held at various locations in Halifax Regional Municipality and in Millbrook First Nation near Truro.

"I am so excited about Halifax hosting NAIG in 2020,” Mattea Bernard, an athlete from Millbrook, said in the release. "I hope I will get the chance to compete during the games and this news will provide the motivation I need to get there."

The 2017 North American Indigenous Games were hosted in Toronto.

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Haley Ryan is a Halifax-based reporter covering women�s issues and advocacy. Follow her on Twitter: @hkryan17

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