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Victoria offers up cash commitment for North American Indigenous Games

$440,000 would come out of surplus funds from next two years’ City budgets
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One of the many sports and cultural posters prodiced for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games in Toronto. The City of Victoria committed up to $440,000 for the Games should the Songhees-led bid be successful. Aboriginal Sports Circle

Victoria councillors hope a decision to provide financial support for a successful North American Indigenous Games bid will set the tone for other municipalities to do the same.

Council voted Thursday to provide up to $220,000 in each of the 2019 and 2020 budget years from surplus accounts, should the Songhees Nation-led bid for the 2020 Games be successful. The City’s support is subject to receiving a detailed budget breakdown from the Games committee.

As part of the decision, a statement was included that Victoria will encourage its municipal neighbours to contribute per capita amounts in the same range, which works out to about $2.50 per person for two years.

The City also plans to work with the organizing committee to facilitate use of City sports facilities as needed.

editor@vicnews.com