Image of four kids holding up banner. Text, "Oneida Nation"

Raylon Baird (second from left) with other NAIG athletes

Athlete photos courtesy of families; Illustration by Sean McCabe (background)

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Proud to Play

This summer, thousands of Native kids gathered to celebrate their diverse cultures.

As You Read, Think About: Does your family celebrate any special traditions?

The Games take place every four years. Athletes go head-to-head, hoping to bring home a gold medal. They compete in 16 sports, including volleyball and basketball. Is it the Olympics? No. These are the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), where 756 Native nations come together.

The 2023 NAIG took place this past July in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Canada. More than 5,000 Indigenous, or Native, coaches and athletes came from all across North America.

America Cackowski was one of them. The 15-year-old competed in three track-and-field events. America is a member of the Oneida Nation. Before the NAIG, she hadn’t met a lot of people from other Native groups. 

“At my school, there are not many kids from other nations—or many Native Americans at all,” America explains.

But at the NAIG, America and the other kids on Team Wisconsin connected with many other Indigenous peoples. Although the athletes battled it out in dozens of sporting events, the NAIG are about more than games. The kids learned about different Native nations—and shared their own traditions.

“I was proud to represent my culture and nation,” America says.

The Games take place every four years. Athletes go head-to-head, hoping to bring home a gold medal. They compete in 16 sports. This includes volleyball and basketball. Are these the Olympics? No. These are the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). During the NAIG, 756 Native nations come together.

The 2023 NAIG took place this past July. They happened in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Canada. More than 5,000 Indigenous, or Native, coaches and athletes came from across North America.

America Cackowski was one of them. The 15-year-old competed in three track-and-field events. America is a member of the Oneida Nation. Before the NAIG, she hadn’t met a lot of people from other Native groups. 

“At my school, there are not many kids from other nations—or many Native Americans at all,” America explains.

But at the NAIG, America connected with many other Indigenous peoples. The other kids on Team Wisconsin did too. The athletes battled it out in dozens of sporting events. Still, the NAIG are about more than games. The kids learned about different Native nations. They also shared their own traditions.

“I was proud to represent my culture and nation,” America says.

Athlete photos courtesy of families

America Cackowski 

Coming Together

Though early versions of the Games began in 1971, the first official NAIG took place in 1990. Many of the teams include athletes from different Native nations. On Team Wisconsin, for example, there were kids from 11 different Native groups.

Often, teammates don’t meet until just before the Games. Raylon Baird says that can be a challenge. The first time the 14-year-old hit the court with Team Wisconsin’s basketball players, things didn’t go so well.

“The chemistry was off at first. We barely knew each other,” Raylon says. “We’re all from different tribes in Wisconsin.”

That changed as they started practicing together. And at the NAIG, many athletes live together in dorms, where they bond with their teammates. Raylon’s team ended up winning a gold medal.

Early versions of the Games began in 1971. But the first official NAIG took place in 1990. Many of the teams include athletes from different Native nations. Team Wisconsin, for example, had kids from 11 different Native groups.

Often, teammates don’t meet until just before the Games. Raylon Baird says that can be a challenge. The 14-year-old was one of Team Wisconsin’s basketball players. The first time he played with his teammates, things didn’t go so well. 

“The chemistry was off at first. We barely knew each other,” Raylon says. “We’re all from different tribes in Wisconsin.”

That changed as they started practicing together. And at the NAIG, many athletes live together in dorms. There, they bond with their teammates. Raylon’s team ended up winning a gold medal.

Athlete photos courtesy of families

Kennedi VanDen Heuvel

Sharing Histories

But there’s more to the NAIG than winning medals. The Games are also a place to celebrate each tribe’s unique history and heritage. Between events, athletes meet up at the NAIG cultural village. They attend concerts and try foods from other nations. 

“It was inspiring to make new friends from different nations and learn some of their traditions,” says Wesay Metoxen. 

 The 12-year-old was one of the youngest lacrosse players at the 2023 NAIG.

But there’s more to the NAIG than winning medals. The Games are also a place to celebrate each tribe’s unique history and heritage. Between events, athletes meet up at the NAIG cultural village. They attend concerts. They also try foods from other nations. 

“It was inspiring to make new friends from different nations and learn some of their traditions,” says Wesay Metoxen. Wesay is 12 years old. He was one of the youngest lacrosse players at the 2023 NAIG.

Homecoming

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

In the end, Team Wisconsin won a total of 56 medals at the NAIG. Twenty-one of them were gold. 

As the team buses arrived home from the airport, crowds of cheering friends and family greeted them. 

Twins Kennedi and Reese VanDen Heuvel are proud of their medals. But the 13-year-old swimmers are even happier about everything they learned at the Games.

“Our culture is different from everyone else’s,” Reese explains. 

The Games don’t get as much attention as the Olympics. But for those who attend, the NAIG are even more meaningful.

“It was just an amazing experience,” says Kennedi.

Note: All the athletes mentioned in this article are members of the Oneida Nation. 

In the end, Team Wisconsin won 56 medals at the NAIG. Twenty-one of them were gold. 

As the team buses arrived home from the airport, crowds of cheering friends and family greeted them. 

Twins Kennedi and Reese Vanden Huevel are proud of their medals. But the 13-year-old swimmers are even happier about everything they learned at the Games.

“Our culture is different from everyone else’s,” Reese explains. 

The Games don’t get as much attention as the Olympics. But for those who attend, the NAIG are even more meaningful.

“It was just an amazing experience,” says Kennedi.

Note: All the athletes mentioned in this article are members of the Oneida Nation. 

A Powerful Symbol

NAIG 2023

  • The NAIG logo features a canoe. This is an important symbol to many Indigenous groups. Native Americans began using canoes centuries ago, depending on them for transportation and trade.

  • This year’s NAIG kicked off with a canoe relay in early July. Rowers made 13 stops across Nova Scotia, visiting Mi’kmaw (meeg-gah-maw) communities. The Mi’kmaq are one of the Indigenous peoples of the area.

  • Athletes competed in more than 50 canoe and kayak events at the 2023 NAIG.
  • The NAIG logo features a canoe. This is an important symbol to many Indigenous groups. Native Americans began using canoes centuries ago, depending on them for transportation and trade.

  • This year’s NAIG kicked off with a canoe relay in early July. Rowers made 13 stops across Nova Scotia, visiting Mi’kmaw (meeg-gah-maw) communities. The Mi’kmaq are one of the Indigenous peoples of the area.

  • Athletes competed in more than 50 canoe and kayak events at the 2023 NAIG.

NAIG 2023

  1. What does the article mean when it says that “there’s more to the NAIG than winning medals”?
  2. Choose one of the athletes quoted in the article. Why were the North American Indigenous Games meaningful to this athlete?
  3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “A Powerful Symbol”?
  1. What does the article mean when it says that “there’s more to the NAIG than winning medals”?
  2. Choose one of the athletes quoted in the article. Why were the North American Indigenous Games meaningful to this athlete?
  3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “A Powerful Symbol”?
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