Arctic sports can reach new communities far beyond the North, but that growth begins with relationships. Athletes, coaches, organizers, and community leaders all have a role in sharing the games while keeping their cultural connections at the centre.

That spirit of collaboration brought members of Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) to Mexico from October 21 to 25, 2026, for the 27th National Meeting of Indigenous and Traditional Games and Sports of Mexico. Joining a delegation with members from Canada, Greenland, and the United States, the ISWO team helped introduce Arctic sports to participants and spectators while connecting with others committed to Indigenous sport and cultural exchange.

Sharing the Games, Building Connections

The enthusiasm for Arctic sports was clear from the opening competitions. On the first day, more than 65 participants from across Mexico competed for medals in Arctic sports events. On the second day, more than 45 participants took part in further competitions.

On the third day, the delegation brought the games into a different setting: City Square. There, athletes demonstrated Arctic sports for hundreds of onlookers, giving a wider audience an opportunity to see the games in action.

Together, the competitions and public demonstrations showed how an international gathering can create new connections through sport. They also highlighted the teamwork required to make those opportunities possible. Bringing Arctic sports to a new audience takes more than athletes alone. It takes hosts who make space for the games, experienced practitioners willing to share their knowledge, and participants ready to try something new.

A Delegation Connected Across Borders

Representing ISWO and Ontario were Clay Melnike, Diane Whittaker, Carmen Jones, and Aidee Jones. They joined fellow delegation members:

• Kyle Worl of Juneau, Alaska
• Eden Hopson of Utqiagvik, Alaska
• Joseph Nowkawalk of Nunavik, Quebec
• Danic Taylor of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
• Inuuteq Josefsen of Qaqortoq, Greenland

The delegation brought together people whose contributions have already helped Arctic sports reach new audiences. Members have been instrumental in bringing Arctic sports to the 2025 Masters Indigenous Games and supporting the growing Arctic sports movement in Ontario.

Their time in Mexico built on that shared work, extending connections across borders and creating opportunities to learn alongside other Indigenous sport communities.

Cultural Exchange at the Heart of the Experience

The gathering was also a celebration of Mexican culture. Traditional music and dance performances, live mariachi bands, folkloric dances, art displays, and handcrafted goods offered opportunities to appreciate the region’s heritage and creativity.

For the visiting delegation, sharing Arctic sports happened alongside experiencing the traditions of their hosts. That exchange matters. Expanding the reach of Indigenous sports should not be a one-way introduction, but an opportunity for communities to share, listen, and learn from one another.

Conversations with fellow attendees, organizations, and community leaders explored shared goals, including inclusion, community support, and potential collaboration. Those connections provided a foundation for future work, without losing sight of the distinct cultures and communities represented at the gathering.

Connecting International Exchange to Community Growth

The experience in Mexico connects to work already underway in Ontario. Over the past few months, members of the delegation have trained Arctic sports coaches and delivered demonstrations and instructional sessions through ISWO’s summer Kids Play Day series.

These activities serve different but complementary purposes. Demonstrations introduce the games to new audiences. Instructional sessions give participants an opportunity to learn. Coach training helps build the local knowledge needed to support continued participation.

International exchanges add another layer, connecting that community work to a wider network of athletes, practitioners, and organizations. Together, these efforts offer a path toward growth that is grounded in people and sustained through partnership. ISWO has been grateful to attend National Meeting of Indigenous and Traditional Games and Sports of Mexico two years in a row and the 2026 Annual Traditional Games in Alaska earlier this spring.

Moving Forward Together

The National Meeting of Indigenous and Traditional Games and Sports of Mexico showed what becomes possible when communities make space for one another’s sports and traditions. Participants stepped into Arctic sports competitions, spectators gathered for demonstrations, and delegation members formed connections around shared priorities.

For ISWO, the experience reinforced the importance of collaboration in bringing Arctic sports beyond the Far North. The goal is not simply to take the games to more places. It is to build relationships that support meaningful participation, continued learning, and respect for the communities that carry this knowledge.

From Ontario to Mexico, that work moves forward together.