Masters Indigenous Games wraps up in Ottawa

The Masters Indigenous Games wraps up in Ottawa following a successful weekend on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025 (Josh Marano/ CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa played host this past weekend to the second edition of the Masters Indigenous Games.

Held at Lansdowne Park, the event highlighted the resilience, pride and heritage of Indigenous communities while giving athletes a chance to compete at the highest level.

For volleyball athletes Mariah Altiman, representing Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, and Reese Peltier, representing Wikwemikong First Nation, the competition was intense but the weekend was about much more than scores.

“We’re from around here, well I am,” Altiman said. “I don’t really get to meet people from up north and just connecting and making those cultural exchanges is nice.”

Ottawa welcomed dozens of Indigenous athletes from around the world to compete in sports like volleyball, basketball and archery.

Executive board member for the Masters Indigenous Games, Danielle Johnson, says while they had less games this year compared to 2023, it meant more athletes could compete in different sports.

“We have athletes from Greenland, from Alaska, from New Zealand, from Mexico, just all over,” Johnson said. “It’s just a great opportunity for them to come and that’s probably the biggest difference is that we have the countries representing themselves.”

The Cultural Village, set up in Lansdowne Park, offered artisan booths, traditional foods and live performances, culminating in the Reconciliation Walk/Run, a final showing of unity.

“Athletes are encouraging each other and supporting each other,” Johnson adds. “It’s really nice to see them together, just cheering on each other because it’s a really good experience.”

Looking ahead, Johnson says they hope to expand the event to see even more countries represented.

“I would like to see in the future for it to be the World Master Indigenous Games. Indigenous people across the world, across the globe, not just some from Turtle Island here, but come together and share an opportunity of sports and use that as a healing modality,” Johnson said.

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