TORONTO — The North American Indigenous Games, which includes several teams from the Seminole Tribe, will be held July 16-23 in Toronto.

Toronto Mayor John Tory officially proclaimed April 19, 2017 Team 88 Day in the City of Toronto in front of a crowd at Nathan Phillips Square as the Toronto 2017 NAIG marked the 88-day countdown to the Games.

Representatives from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous leadership were in attendance as students and other spectators were treated to live Indigenous performances and craft displays.
Basketball, soccer and lacrosse stations were run by pros of the sport including Toronto 2017 Ambassador Cody Jamieson, of the National Lacrosse League’s Rochester Knighthawks, and Mekwan Tulpin, a member of the Canadian women’s national lacrosse team.

An integral part of the Toronto 2017 legacy campaign, Team 88 represents the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action number 88, which calls on all levels of government to take action to ensure long-term Indigenous athlete development and growth through continued support of the North American Indigenous Games.

On April 13, Debwe, the turtle, was revealed as the official mascot of the Toronto 2017 NAIG. The original design was created by contest winner Anton Meekis, a 14-year-old student from Deer Lake First Nation. Debwe made his debut before a crowd of local school children at the Aboriginal Education Centre in Toronto.

The Weather Network in Oakville, Ontario has been named the official weather partner for 2017 NAIG. The Weather Network is set to provide forecasts for the days leading up to and throughout the Games for the 16 competition venues and two cultural festival sites. The Weather Network will also broadcast live on location during the week of the Games, highlighting events, athletes and celebrating Indigenous cultures.