EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY THIS AUGUST, AND VOLUNTEER WITH THE 2023 MASTERS INDIGENOUS GAMES

EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY THIS AUGUST, AND VOLUNTEER WITH THE 2023 MASTERS INDIGENOUS GAMES.

Volunteer registration is now open! Celebrate Indigenous cultures and athletes from around the world, with the 2023 MIG in Ottawa, this August.

March 22, 2023 – Algonquin Territory (Ottawa, Ontario) –The 2023 Masters Indigenous Games (MIG) Organizing Committee announced today that registration is now open for volunteers, aged 16 and over, interested in supporting an event that will celebrate hundreds of Indigenous masters age athletes from across the world, as they compete in six sports and showcase their cultural heritage and traditions, over four days this summer.

The 2023 Masters Indigenous Games (MIG) are scheduled to take place this summer from August 24-27 in the City of Ottawa; Canada’s capital region sits on the ancestral homelands and traditional territory of the Algonquin Peoples, who have inhabited the land since time immemorial. The first edition of the MIG took place in Toronto, Ontario in 2018, with athletes representing more than six countries and over 90 individual Indigenous communities. The Games, originally scheduled to take place in 2021 and postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, are now back on track and generating excitement from athletes around the world, as they prepare, train, and gear up for the competition, and the celebrations, this August. To ensure a world-class experience and a successful outcome, organizers in partnership with the official volunteer partner of the Games – Giant Tiger – are currently seeking approximately 500 volunteers, across 12 roles, to take part in this unique event. Volunteers do not require any prior experience in sport delivery, Indigenous knowledge, or other technical skills to apply; the only thing that is needed is: passion, time, and an interest in supporting sport participation for Indigenous Peoples.

“Volunteers are so essential to delivering a successful event and it’s really what make these events possible,” says Marc Laliberte, President of Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario. “We have athletes attending from all over the world, coming to celebrate sport and culture, in a truly unique event that will create lifelong memories and inspire communities, countries and the next generation of athletes to come. It’s a huge undertaking, and something that is greatly needed, but we need the help of dedicated and passionate volunteers, whose greatest gift to us, is their time and expertise. Our team is committed to doing everything we can to ensure that volunteers have a great experience, and perhaps leave with a more in-depth understanding of global Indigenous peoples and communities. Indigenous Peoples have so much to share and celebrate; they have persevered for millennia, and sport is a foundation for many of them. Indigenous Peoples thrive on their connections to the land, to each other and to the universe; these Games celebrate the knowledge, strengths, and the resilience of Indigenous peoples, and the role of sport in healthy, active living.”

Volunteers who register for the 2023 MIG, will have an opportunity to make new friends, gain unique experiences, and share their skills, all while learning more about Indigenous cultures and communities, from around the world.

Volunteers will be assigned shifts based on their interests and preferences (when and where possible), and their availability, and are asked to commit to a minimum of two, four-hour shifts to qualify.

All selected volunteers will receive a free uniform, including a hat, t-shirt and accreditation, free Games swag, and other items. Volunteers will also receive a meal for each 4-hour shift completed and are invited to take part in the closing ceremonies on Sunday, August 25 at Lansdowne Park, at 4 pm. The 2023 MIG volunteer program is proudly supported by Giant Tiger Ltd., the official Volunteer Partner of the Games.

For more information about the Games, visit https://mastersindigenousgames.com. To register as a volunteer, simply click on the Volunteer Registration button found on the website and submit the required information. The deadline to register as a volunteer for the 2023 MIG is May 31, 2023.

ABOUT MIG

The Masters Indigenous Games (MIG) were founded by Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) to meet the growing need for competitive sport for the aging population. The Games encourage mature individuals to be active, with the awareness that competitive sport can continue throughout life, contributing to increased health and wellness. The inaugural MIG took place in Toronto, Ontario from July 12-15, 2018, providing an opportunity for Indigenous adults worldwide to engage in sport competition with their peers.

2023 Masters Indigenous Games Quick Facts:

• The 2023 MIG will take place in Ottawa, Ontario from August 24-27, 2023.
• Six sports are on offer for competition, including Athletics, Basketball, Canoe, Golf, Lacrosse, and Volleyball.
• The 2023 MIG Cultural Festival will take place at Lansdowne Park from Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27, and will feature interactive sport demonstrations, an Indigenous marketplace with a variety of vendors, food trucks, a main stage showcasing Indigenous performers, and immersive cultural experiences; the festival is free of charge and open to the public.
• Participation in sport competitions is for Indigenous adults aged 19 years and over.
• There are no qualifiers; teams do not have to be part of any clubs or associations to register.
• Individuals may register for a team sport and will be placed on a team if space is available.
• The deadline to register for the 2023 MIG is May 31, 2023.

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Acknowledgment

ISWO honours the traditional lands and homelands of 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

Abby Shirazi

Director of Marketing and Communications, ISWO
General Manager, 2023 Masters Indigenous Games
Abidah.Shirazi@iswo.ca