PROVINCE BACKS 2008 NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES

DUNCAN – The Province of British Columbia will contribute $3.5 million to the 2008 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) to support Aboriginal amateur sport and sport tourism, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

“Communities across B.C. are showing the world that our province is the number one choice to host sports events,” said Campbell. “We are proud to support the Cowichan Tribes as they plan for the 2008 North American Indigenous Games and I know they will stage an event that will yield significant economic, social and cultural benefits for years to come.”

“The funding commitment reflects a strong spirit of co-operation between the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games Society and the Province of British Columbia,” said

Society board of directors chair Calvin Swustus. “Our partnership with the Province and the success that will result from this relationship will serve as a model for future partnerships as we carry forward towards 2008 and beyond."

“The North American Indigenous Games play an important role in Aboriginal sport development and help foster a culture of health, fitness, achievement and excellence – key goals of this government for all its citizens,” said Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Olga Ilich. “Having the opportunity to host this event opens up additional opportunities in tourism, volunteer capacity-building, and social, economic and cultural exchange.”

At a 2003 Provincial/Federal meeting of sport ministers an agreement was reached establishing the funding framework for the 2008 North American Indigenous Games. It was agreed Canada and the host province/territory would each contribute 35 per cent to a maximum of $3.5 million, with the host society contributing the remaining 30 per cent. Today’s announcement confirms the total amount of provincial funding available to the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games Society for the staging of the Games.

The first North American Indigenous Games were held in 1990 in Edmonton, Alberta. The 2008 NAIG will welcome more than 6,000 Aboriginal athletes, coaches and managers from across North America. The Games will run from August 2 to 10 and are expected to generate more than $20 million in economic activity in the Cowichan Valley and region.

Sport tourism generates an estimated $368 million each year in B.C. In the years leading up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games , B.C. will host a number of high-profile international events including the 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, the 2007 BMX World Championships, the 2008 World Triathlon Championships and the 2009 World Police and Fire Games. Outside the 2010 Games themselves, sport event hosting is expected to generate over $2 billion between now and 2011.

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Media contact:	Mike Morton Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218

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