We start by acknowledging that we are on Treaty 6 territory, the territory of the Dakota people, and the Homeland of the Métis. We honour them, and we honour all of you, who have since come to live on this land.

We speak from a particular time and place, when our Mother Earth and all beings on the planet are affected by wildfires and the effects of climate change. Mother Earth will be fine without humans, but without her, humans cannot survive. As we acknowledge the land, we pay attention to this wake up call from our Mother.

The YXE Urban Games is a celebration of sport, activity, art and culture. It is a way for us all to come together. As we organized the games, we were guided by Knowledge Keepers and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. We invite everyone to read those Calls to Action and to acknowledge the struggles that Indigenous people on this land have faced in the past and continue to face today.

tâpwewin is the nehiyaw (Cree) word for truth, which is written on the YXE Urban Games medals–a reminder that there can be no reconciliation without the truth. The truth reveals that colonization and forced assimilation has had devastating effects on Indigenous peoples in Canada, leading to the loss of land, culture, and autonomy. These impacts continue today, contributing to systemic inequalities and social challenges faced by Indigenous communities. Integrating Indigenous protocols, ceremonies and ways of knowing into the YXE Urban Games helps to create a place where Indigenous peoples are recognized and celebrated, and all people feel a sense of belonging.

The YXE Urban Games is about strengthening a vision of truth and reconciliation. Artists and cultural leaders bring to life that vision during the festival, where people are invited to participate–not just watch, but get involved, create, and play. mêtawêwin is the nehiyaw word for sport, also on the YXE Urban Games medals.

Participation is more important than competition. That’s where the real community building happens. Some people might win a medal. That just means that they have a dedication, a leadership quality that others can follow.

This festival was started with ceremony, to acknowledge the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the games so that we can move forward in a good way. The final word on the Urban Games medals is miyo-wâhkôhtowin. In Cree this means building and maintaining positive, healthy relationships among all peoples and the land.

Carry these words with you throughout the festival. Participate in the Opening Ceremonies, which begins with a Grand Entry on Friday at 6pm. Visit Lamarr Oksasikewiyin, who will be teaching Traditional Games throughout the weekend. See Audrey Armstrong’s visual Land Acknowledgement. Cheer on all the athletes on the courts and artists and performers on the stage. Be moved by the sound of the drums during the Opening Ceremonies and medal presentations.

Take those experiences with you and ask, what can I do to foster open and truthful communication about our ugly history? What can I do to create a safe inclusive path where everyone in this time and place can thrive?