b'NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMESto play, have some good laughs and sweating a little bit. Its good for the mental health as well, playing something that makes you feel good. So, its a really good way to kind of release. And I think the more you do itthe more you playthe longer you play in your life. A lot of our First Nations youth are so athletic, Cameron adds, and they dont even realize it.Laurie and Kylie Moyer still play in a league together, and Kylie echoes her mom in underlining how vital sport is for helping Indigenous women to feel spiritually healthy. Sport allows women to feel empowered not only by them-selves, she says, but also by teammates and coaches. The moral lessons that Laurie Moyer (centre) in front of a NAIG#Team88 displayare learned through playing sports are - an initiative highlighting the positive impact of sport incarried throughout your whole life. Indigenous communities. Photo courtesy of Peter MoyerEngaging in sport offers further benefits players, youre going to help me trainloved. My daughter has watched me play.for Indigenous women as well, particu-the new ones that are coming in throughShes watched me coach, and Ive coachedlarly through organized participation the door. her, so shes a prime example. through NAIG. The NAIG allowed me to not only grow as an athlete but also Passing on skills to the next generation isas a person, Kylie adds. Being able to a significant part of Indigenous traditionENHANCED WELLNESS participate in NAIG, represent Ontario, and having that reflected in sport is anLaurie Moyer has long understood howmake new connections and honour essential part of growing womens partici- important Indigenous womens involve- Indigenous culture was an amazing pation. I do clinics up in some of thement in sport is to their overall wellness.experience. I continued to fall in love communities up North, Moyer explains.For Indigenous women, playing andwith sports, become more competitive Im just staying involved in the sport andbeing active and staying healthy is just soand develop leadership skills. NAIG trying to encourage youth to play. I use itimportant, she says. Theres also theallowed me to meet other women as a way of connecting with the youthhealing part of the sense of communityathletes from all over, striving towards and inspiring them to love the sport that Iby going to the local community centrethe same goalwinning.The North American Indigenous Games offer a powerful community space for young Indigenous women, teaching Promoting a positive and diverse healthcare and engaging youth in teamwork and environment for infection prevention and control leadership practices alike. The feeling of being a part of a team is like having another family, concludes Kylie. Having teammates to trust and confide in is important to anyones overall wellness, and these bonds can last a lifetime. For women like Kylie, the community care and value inherent to the NAIG gives them an opportunity to engage with, trust, and grow alongside other people who share their interests and experiences. Where it concerns Indigenous wellness, Indigenous women competing in the NAIG prove that solidarity and togetherness benefits not only the individual, but also our greater communities through intergenerational www.ipac-canada.org learning and practice. 44Fall/Winter 2023'