Masters Indigenous Games 2018 to Host Pow Wow Embodying The Spirit From Around The World

MASTERS INDIGENOUS GAMES 2018 TO HOST POW WOW EMBODYING THE SPIRIT FROM AROUND THE WORLD

The inaugural Games will close with a traditional Pow Wow featuring dance specials and a community feast.

Toronto, Ontario – May 11, 2018

The Masters Indigenous Games 2018 (MIG 2018) Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the ‘Embody the Spirit Pow Wow’, scheduled to take place this summer, as a way to celebrate the spirit and cultural traditions of Indigenous Peoples from across the world. The Pow Wow will be held on Sunday, July 15, the last day of the four-day multi-sport and cultural event, set to inspire, educate and celebrate participants and spectators alike. The ‘Embody the Spirit Pow Wow’ will be part of the official closing events, including a community feast and closing ceremony. Although a focus of the MIG 2018 is to celebrate the global Indigenous community, a special emphasis on the cultures and traditions of ‘Indigenous Ontario’ will be showcased in the spotlight.

The Pow Wow will be held at Downsview Park, where the majority of MIG 2018 sport competitions are set to take place. To showcase the unique cultural make up of Indigenous Ontario, the Pow Wow will feature a variety of dance specials, including a competitive Smoke Dance special with male and female categories and a Smoke Dance Golden Age Demo special. Drum groups, a vital component for any Pow Wow, attending from across Ontario, include Smoke Trail, Little Creek, and M’skhaaziwin. The Smoke Dance special will be led by traditional Haudenosaunee singers, Old Mush. Old Mush is a singing society from Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, with very specific rules, traditions, leadership, and responsibilities who raise funds for their support their community members in time of need. Bob Goulais, an Anishinaabe from Nipissing First Nation and avid Pow Wow singer, will be the host emcee for the day. Additionally, cultural demonstrations from Africa, Australia and New Zealand will be on display, cultivating a global Indigenous celebration.

Pow Wow participants, athletes, honoured guests and volunteers, will be invited to join in a traditional community feast following the event, to emphasize the importance of community and to ensure that everyone leaves in a good way. Vendors will be on site at the Cultural Village selling Indigenous made art, goods and food throughout the day. An enticing prize board has been put together, with additional prize packs available for all registered Pow Wow dancers.

To register as a dancer or for more information about the ‘Embody the Spirit Pow Wow’, visit:
www.mastersindigenousgames.ca.

About the MIG 2018

The Masters Indigenous Games provides Indigenous adults, 20 and over, the chance to compete in sport competition with their peers. The Games encourage individuals to be active, with the awareness that competitive sport can continue throughout life, contributing to the increased health and wellness. The Games are also a platform to celebrate the unique cultures of Indigenous

Peoples from around the world. The Games kick-off on July 12, with an Opening Gala to take place at the Royal Ontario Museum. In addition to the sport competitions, a family-friendly cultural village, featuring vendors, performers, elders, workshops and activities, will take place July 13-15 and is open and FREE to the public. A full schedule of programming will be available in the coming weeks.

MIG 2018 Quick Facts:

• The MIG 2018 will take place from July 12-15, 2018, with the majority of events taking place at Downsview Park located in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, visit mastersindigenousgames.ca.
• The Masters Indigenous Games 2018 (MIG 2018) will feature approximately 1000 participants, 500 volunteers, various contemporary (athletics, badminton, basketball, canoe, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball) and traditional sports (archery, standing kick, tug of war and tepee building) and a cultural village.
• The Masters Indigenous Games features global Indigenous participation.
• A Cultural Village showcasing Indigenous artists, performers, sport demonstrations, storytellers and vendors, will be located at Downsview Park from July 13-15. The Cultural Village is free and open to the public; for vendor information, please visit mastersindigenousgames.ca/culture-events/.
• The Masters Indigenous Games was founded by the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO), the official Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body for Ontario.

 

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Acknowledgement

The Masters Indigenous Games 2018 honours and acknowledges the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. The Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO) acknowledges all Indigenous Peoples and communities across the province of Ontario, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, living both on and off reserve, in rural and urban communities.

Contact Information:
mastersindigenousgames@aswco.ca