Team California was first established for the North American Indigenous Games. Inter Tribal Sports assumed the role of administering the team for the 2011 US Indigenous Games (USIG), held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is committed to promoting, assembling, and administering the team for future national competitions, in either a lead or collaborative role as necessitated by event logistics and requirements.
Jim Thorpe Games
The Jim Thorpe Games will be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from June 10-17, 2012. Athletes representing Indian nations, bands, and tribes from across the United States will gather to share their talents in the spirit of the “Worlds Greatest Athlete” and Native American legend Jim Thorpe.
Events will include archery, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, wrestling, track and field, cross country, golf, martial arts, stickball, and beach volleyball. ITS is offering assistance in the registration process, but teams are not required to sign up with Inter Tribal Sports as part of Team California. Visit the official website for more information or to register on your own or fill out this interest form if you are interested in attending as part of Team California.
US Indigenous Games
The games are scheduled to occur again in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2013. Team California was represented by 95 athletes and 25 coaches at the 2011 games. California was ranked third in the number of athletes, only behind the host state of Wisconsin and Florida. Team California was represented in boys basketball (19u and 16u), girls basketball (14u), baseball (19u and 14u), softball (19u and 16u) and by two golfers and four wrestlers. A photo gallery from the Games is available HERE.
Team California brought home the following medals:
|
Team |
Medal |
|
Wrestling |
Gold, Bronze (2) |
|
U16 Softball |
Gold |
|
U19 Softball |
Silver |
|
U14 Baseball |
Gold |
|
U19 Baseball |
Bronze |
North American Indigenous Games
The North American Indigenous Games began in 1990 and were subsequently held in 1993, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2006, and 2008. The games bring together Native Americans from the United States and First Nations from Canada for a weeklong celebration of sport and culture. The next games are scheduled to be held in 2014 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. For more information on NAIG Team California please contact:
Donna Barron (Pechanga)
Vice President, NAIG
Chef de Mission, NAIG Team California
PH: (909) 214-9471
Email: dbarron@pechanga-nsn.gov