Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke about Truth and Reconciliation and the participants at the North American Indigenous Games being the leaders the world needs when he addressed the crowd at the opening ceremony. Competition began today (Mon).

Trudeau says all of the participants are strong Indigenous leaders who live with the legacy of colonialism and yet they are still here and still strong. He believes they are stepping up to reclaim their identities, their languages and their cultures and traditions, and will become the leaders that this country and the world needs in a time where climate change, conflict, greed and divisions are tearing civilizations apart. Trudeau suggests Indigenous knowledge and understanding: how to respect the earth, how to take what you need, how to share, are the lessons everyone needs.

Saskatchewan has more than 500 athletes, coaches and team personnel attending the games. The celebration of athletic competition and culture is held every three years but the 2020 Games were cancelled because of the pandemic, so these are the first Games in six years.