The final count for last July’s North American Indigenous Games in Regina is in and the numbers look good.
The week-long event raised a small profit for the host committee, injected $12 million into the Regina economy and created 267 jobs.
The figures were released this afternoon during an event at the First Nations University, where a permanent display featuring the games logo was unveiled.
The games were not without controversy. BC was named the overall medal winner with 160 medals, just one more than Saskatchewan. Many of its medals were in swimming which was a non-sanctioned sport that was added at the last minute.
Games CEO Ron Crowe says the decision was reviewed and it stands.
“What we did is to make sure that in case there is questions in the future, that we had the assurance that the competition is held fairly and above board. That’s exactly what our — I wouldn’t call it an investigation — but our study revealed.”
About 4,000 athletes from all over North America took part in the week long event last July.