New Brunswick Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Authority

[Appointment of Chef de Mission and Assistant Chef for 2011 North American Indigenous Games] (01/03/10) 

March 1, 2010

FREDERICTON – Ruth Levi will be the volunteer chef de mission of Aboriginal Team New Brunswick at the 2011 North American Indigenous Games, which will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from July 10 to 17, 2011 the New Brunswick Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Authority (NBASRA) announced today.

Ms. Levi will be serving her second term as Chef de Mission for Aboriginal Team New Brunswick. Ruth showed excellent leadership abilities as the leader of the New Brunswick contingent at the 2008 Cowichan Games. She is currently serving as the President of the Mawiw Council and brings a wealth of experience as a former social worker.

Levi will be accompanied by Assistant Chef de Mission Patrick Bernard. Patrick is the Chairperson of the NBASRA, hockey coach and board member with the Centre for Coaching Education of New Brunswick.

Aboriginal Team New Brunswick includes about 70 people, including athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff from the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet communities of New Brunswick.

North American Indigenous Games Origin

The dream of a large scale Indigenous Games originated at a gathering of the National Indian Athletic Association held in Nevada, 1967. Twenty years later, a group of Indigenous leaders from Alberta took the momentous step of organizing the first ever North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). Their purpose was simple: to establish an international forum in which Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island (North America) could celebrate the athletic and cultural talents of their young people. The need for such an event was based on the realization that Indigenous athletes have not been provided the same opportunities to participate in domestic or international games, as have their non-Indigenous counterparts.

Since its inception, the NAIG has grown to become the largest multi-sport and cultural youth games hosted in Canada. The NAIG is a fundamental component of the Aboriginal sport movement as it has effected positive change in the health and well being of Aboriginal peoples across Canada. It is the primary vehicle for Indigenous youth sport development at the grassroots to provincial/territorial levels. 

New Brunswick Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Authority

The New Brunswick Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Authority (NBASRA) is committed to guide, mobilize and promote a healthy, active lifestyle by developing sport and recreation opportunities for Aboriginal People in New Brunswick. They are committed to teach leadership, support for others and achieve a better lifestyle using the ability of sport and recreation. The NBASRA is also committed to assist our athletes, coaches and membership in achieving the highest possible level as an participant and a person.

                    Fundamental Movement Skills Course March 20, 2010 Quispamsis, NB