August 15, 2025
Every few years, athletes from Indigenous communities around the world gather not just to compete, but to celebrate who they are. The Masters Indigenous Games (MIG) are unlike any other sporting event — part competition, part cultural festival, and part homecoming for communities separated by geography but united in heritage.
NAV CANADA is a proud sponsor of this year’s Masters Indigenous Games, celebrating the power of sport, culture, and community. Our team is on-site in the Cultural Village all weekend, connecting with athletes and visitors.
This summer, Ottawa will host the Games from August 14–17, 2025, bringing together Indigenous adults aged 19 and older to compete in sports like athletics, Arctic sports, archery, basketball, volleyball, and golf. Ottawa and the surrounding region is the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, who have known and inhabited these lands for millennia. Alongside the competitions, the city will transform into a cultural hub, with music, art, and food filling the Cultural Village at Lansdowne Park and TD Place; a space that’s free and open to everyone.
The Games were first held in 2018 as a legacy of the North American Indigenous Games, with a simple but powerful idea: sports don’t have to end when youth competitions do. For many athletes, the Masters Indigenous Games are a chance to stay active, reconnect with sport, and inspire future generations.
“The Masters Indigenous Games prove that sport doesn’t end when youth competitions do — it’s something you can carry with you for life,” says Sonny Walton, Manager of Marketing and Communications, Indigenous Sports and Wellness Ontario (ISWO).
But the Games go beyond athletics. Culture and tradition are woven into every detail, from the opening ceremonies featuring Indigenous performers to the artisan vendors in the Cultural Village. The result is an event that fosters connection and deeper understanding among Indigenous nations and invites the wider public to experience it alongside them.
This year marks a milestone: more international participants than ever are expected, including 18 Rarámuri athletes from Mexico and, for the first time, representatives from the Māori in New Zealand. These delegations will join participants from across Canada, the U.S., and even as far north as Alaska and Denmark, showing just how far the Games’ reach has grown.
“Seeing athletes travel from as far as Mexico, New Zealand, and Alaska shows how powerful this gathering has become — it’s a true celebration of Indigenous unity,” says Emily Goodwin, Marketing & Communications Strategist, Masters Indigenous Games
Behind the scenes, the event is a massive effort. Planning starts almost as soon as the previous Games wrap up, with over 100 volunteers, sport leads, cultural performers, and community partners working together for years at a time to bring the event to life. Balancing logistics, cultural protocols, and the needs of athletes is no small feat, but it’s exactly this collaboration that makes the event so meaningful.
For participants, the Masters Indigenous Games are more than medals and scoreboards. They are about celebrating wellness, strengthening community ties, and honoring traditions that have been passed down for generations.
“Every race, every game, every performance is rooted in culture. That’s what makes the Masters Indigenous Games unlike anything else,” says Walton.
By showcasing Indigenous athletes of all ages, the Games remind participants and spectators alike that sport is a lifelong journey and a bridge to culture. For those watching from the sidelines, the Games are equally powerful. Anyone can attend, explore the Cultural Village, cheer on the athletes, or volunteer.
Phil Radok, Manager, Brand, NAV CANADA, says, “we’re looking forward to connecting with athletes in the Cultural Village and sharing how the focus, quick thinking, and calm under pressure they show in sport can open doors to exciting careers — including in air traffic services at NAV CANADA.”
Events of this scale depend on strong community support and partnerships. Organizations like NAV CANADA, a proud sponsor of this year’s Games, help keep registration costs low and ensure the event remains accessible to athletes and their families. Their support helps cover the essentials, ranging from venues to cultural programming, so the focus can stay on what matters: sport, culture, and connection.
“When we decided to become a sponsor of the Masters Indigenous Games, we were thrilled to support the remarkable achievements within Indigenous communities,” says Radok.
As the Games continue to grow, so do the possibilities. Interest is already building for 2029, with Canada and New Zealand among the potential hosts. Wherever they’re held, the Masters Indigenous Games will continue to unite communities, celebrate culture, and inspire generations through the power of sport.
For more information on the Masters Indigenous Games — or to see how you can attend or get involved — visit their website.
To learn more about how athletes bring the skills NAV CANADA looks for in its air traffic services professionals, check out our blog post.