World Indigenous Nations Games to open in Maskwacis

For many of the athletes who have travelled to Alberta for the World Indigenous Nations Games, it'sas much about competition and culture as it is about supporting one another.

Delegations from 29 countries, with representation from even more Indigenous nations within those borders, will take part in the opening ceremonies at Bear Park in Maskwacis on Monday night. The games run until July 9, with events also taking place in Enoch Cree Nation.

• 'Coming together': Athletes arrive in Alberta for World Indigenous Games
• 'We have so much to offer': World Indigenous Games comes to Alberta this summer

On Sunday morning, a number of those who arrived earlygathered at Tomahawk Park in Enoch Cree Nation for archery practice. On the sidelineswas canoerAtilanoFlacofrom EmberaQuerain Panama.

Flaco is a veteran of the WIN Games, having competed and won a gold medal in the first-ever iteration of the event two years ago in Palmos, Brazil.

'We come with unity in the different nations not just in Panama, [but] other nations in Canada," Flacoexplained, through GiuseppeVillalaz, who travels with the team and translates.

Villalazhasbeen following the reconciliation process in Canada.

What's happening with the reconciliation is 'wow' for me.- Giuseppe Villalaz, Brazil

"What's happening with the reconciliation is 'wow' for me," Villalazsaid. "This is good."

In Panama, hesaid the relationship of Indigenous nations with the government canalso be up and down.

Villalazsaid when it comes toIndigenous rights, dialogueis contentious, butthe government supported sending the delegation of 82 athletes to Alberta.

Sport a commondenominator

Areceio Olman, a coach withParaguay delegation's soccer team, said through translator Mauricio Rivera thatamong the 19 different nations from that country, the sport is thecommon denominator.

Olmansaid Indigenous communities were playing their own traditionalversion of soccer long before Europeans arrived.

It's used as element of unification of the country to keep everyone together.- Areceio Olman, Paraguay, through translator

"It's used as element of unification of the country to keep everyone together," Olman said.

Olmansaid keeping everyone together is key in his country.Guarani, an Indigenous language used inParaguay, is heard in the parliament and among the non-Indigenous population.

And though sports are a common denominator for Indigenous nations across the world, there are huge differences: like their equipment.For example, when the archers compete, it will be with their owntraditional bows and arrows.

But the friendly competition is still there.

Flaco said he hopes to defend his title, but he added that he knows little about Canadian canoes.

"The canoe in Panama is so different," explained Flaco, who stilllives traditionally ina forested area on the edge of Panama City. He's used to using a canoe as a mode of transportation.

Opening ceremonies for the games is at 7 p.m. Monday. Find the full schedule here.