Team Indigenous NL Returns Home with 40 Medals from the 2023 North American Indigenous Games

Press Release

July 24, 2023

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is congratulating Team Indigenous NL as they return home from the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) with 40 medals.

Team Indigenous NL athletes won an incredible 10 gold, 14 silver and 16 bronze medals, and finished ninth in the ranking of delegations.

More than 100 Mi’kmaw, Inuit and Innu athletes from all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador proudly wore the colours of Team Indigenous NL and competed in golf, swimming, volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, badminton and athletics. Athletes were supported and led by Jerry Wetzel, Chef de Mission, and the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland and Labrador.

A full list of medal recipients is included in the backgrounder below.

The 2023 North American Indigenous Games, which were held on the traditional homeland of the Mi’kmaw people in Halifax, Nova Scotia, brought together more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and officials from more than 756 Indigenous Nations to celebrate, share and connect through sport and culture.

Competition results and video segments from the 2023 North American Indigenous Games 2023 can be viewed online.

Quotes

“Congratulations to all medalists, athletes, coaches and officials proudly representing Newfoundland and Labrador and their Indigenous communities as members of Team Indigenous NL. We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and the drive, determination and passion you demonstrated at the Games in Halifax.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“It is truly inspiring to see these young people succeed in their respective sports, and I congratulate them, their coaches and mission staff on a brilliant showing at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games. Through your commitment to training and preparation, and all the hard work you have done to achieve this success, you are role models for others to pursue active, healthy lifestyles.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“I am very proud of the inspirational effort exhibited by athletes on the courts and playing fields and the exemplary manner in which they represented their Indigenous communities and their province. When you give youth the opportunity to succeed, they will seize the opportunity to excel and conduct themselves as ambassadors for their Indigenous heritage and their families.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

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NOTE: A photo accompanying this release can be found online at www.gov.nl.ca/releases.

Learn more
Medal Standings and Results from NAIG 2023

Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland and Labrador

BACKGROUNDER

Team Indigenous NL Medal Recipients

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