North American Indigenous Games officially open in Halifax

The North American Indigenous Games officially kicked off Sunday evening, as thousands of Indigenous athletes from across the continent filled the main hockey arena in Halifax.

Norman Sylliboy, Grand Chief of the Mik'maq Grand Council, gave an opening address to the gathered athletes, officially opening the games.

"As Indigenous people of Canada, our way of life has been constantly attacked and impacted since the arrival of settlers over 500 years ago, and eventually was replaced by foreign powers," Sylliboy said.

"It was the vision to have Mi'kmaq united again, to see all Indigenous brothers and sisters here today working together.... I believe we have the path of healing and hope all Indigenous communities are one day restored."

The 2023 games will mix Indigenous culture with sporting events, which bring together about 5,000 athletes, coaches and mission staff from 750 First Nations across the continent.

Competitors from Ontario and Alberta led the procession of athletes into the hockey arena as the stadium gradually filled with young people who waved flags and held banners representing their territories. Athletes came from Indigenous communities within numerous states and provinces including British Columbia, California and Colorado.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on hand for the event and was greeted by both cheers and some boos as he took the podium to address the audience.

He told the stadium filled with young athletes they will celebrate not only their athletic achievements, but their identity, culture and futures as Indigenous leaders over the next week.

"You are here, young, strong Indigenous leaders, as the inheritors of a legacy of colonialism, of assimilation, of policies in Canada and the United States,