About Us
OUR
VISION
The Northeastern Nations Friends of the Games unites diverse Indigenous communities to empower youth through inclusive sports and cultural events, fostering self-esteem, talent, and wellbeing. Beyond competition, we are committed to building lasting legacies, preserving culture, and nurturing holistic development in Manitoba's Indigenous communities through collaborative leadership and sustainable planning.
OUR
MISSION
The Northeastern Nations Friends of the Games, together with our people, neighbours, and community partners, aims to take a leadership role in hosting a network of sporting competitions, cultural events, entertainment, and facilities. Our goal is to inspire young athletes to participate in this glorious opportunity and to create experiences that foster strong, vibrant Games.
Board Members
Allan Courchene
Sagkeeng
Jolene Chippeway
Sagkeeng
Peggy Guimond
Sagkeeng
Randy Desautels
Powerview/Pine Falls
Lorna Chippeway
Sagkeeng
OUR
CORE VALUES
The Northeastern Nations Friends of the Games unites diverse Indigenous communities to empower youth through:
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Inclusive Community Empowerment - Bringing diverse communities together, ensuring everyone can participate and grow through sports and culture.
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Empowering Youth, Honouring Heritage - Nurturing the next generation's talents while celebrating and preserving Indigenous traditions.
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Lasting Wellness Impact - Creating enduring positive change for holistic community health beyond the games and cultural events, fostering self-esteem, talent, and wellbeing. Beyond competition, we are committed to building lasting legacies, preserving culture, and nurturing holistic development in Manitoba's Indigenous communities through collaborative leadership and sustainable planning.
OUR
SPIRIT
Beyond competition, we are committed to building lasting legacies, preserving culture, and nurturing holistic development in Manitoba's Indigenous communities through collaborative leadership and sustainable planning.
Get Involved
Join us in our efforts to support and uplift the community. Your participation can make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
Host Community
&
Partnering Communities
The lead host community is the Sagkeeng First Nation Community an Ojibwe community located at the mouth of Lake Winnipeg on the northeastern side of the province. It has a population of 8,208 members with approximately 3,600 living on reserve and is one of the larges treserves in Manitoba with both land mass and people. Located just 121 kilometers from the city of Winnipeg. The community is operated by an elected body comprised of a Chief and six council members that oversee the operations of their members in education, health, social, policing, and housing.
The adjacent communities are Powerview/Pine Falls, these Community are picturesque, surrounded by a hydro dam, tundra, forests and sandy beaches. A multitude of beaches and quiet living are available in the surrounding areas. You can acquire all the amenities required from the grocery outlets and other businesses. There are various lodgings and activities that bring tourists to the area; fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling are just a few of the entertainments that draw the tourist to the communities.
Sagkeeng has collaborated with the surrounding communities in hosting of the 2025 Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games – South. These communities are Brokenhead First Nation, Little Black River, Hollow Water, Lac Du Bonnet, Manigotagan, Powerview/Pine Falls, and the HUB of the Games, Sagkeeng First Nation. From this consortium of communities, we have formed the group, the Northeastern Nations Friends of the Games INC, who are the Host Society, all communities have committed their facilities as In-Kind contributions to the event.
The Northeastern Nations Friends of the Games has a committee, board, and sub-committees working diligently together in making this event special in a fun, safe, environment for all toenjoy as they visit the area. We welcome all participants, officials, VIPs, parents, and fans and hope all will take part in cheering on athletes in friendly competition in the many sporting events. Culture, music, dancing, and other entertainment will also be available throughout the Games.
Current Committee Members
Jolene Chippeway
Entertainment/Opening/Closing Ceremonies
Gloria Kohinski
Medical
Lee Courchene
Environment
Farrel Guimond
Accommodations
Carol Guimond
Security
Casey Courchene
Security
Gabriel Hall
Food Services
Dylan Courchene
Food Services, Sagkeeng Chief & Council
Kim Avanthay
Volunteers – Lac Du Bonnet
Shawn Chippeway
Volunteers
Zoe Dupont
Volunteers - Sagkeeng
Nate Nepinak
Volunteers
Sonia Bushie
Volunteers
Elie Bushie
Volunteers
Dayna Ford
Volunteers
Curtis Garson
Volunteers - SERDEC
Roberta Laliberte
Marketing & Advertising
Denise (Dixie) Courchene
Games Signage
Jenine Walker
Registration
Dustin Courchene
Technology
Andrew Klaprat
Sport Committee/Director – Basketball
Harley Brightnose
Basketball Co-ordinator
Cheryl Hart
Basketball Co-ordinator
Rene Le Moullec
Sport Committee/Director – Athletics
Donavan Gerard
Athletics
Garnet Desjarlais
Ball Hockey
Nicole Guimond
Sport Committee/Director – Ball Hockey
Noel Bruyere
Ball Hockey
Isaac Courchene
Ball Hockey
Rainey O'laney
Ball Hockey
Milton Courchene
Sport Committee/Director – Golf
Lorna Chippeway
Entertainment/Opening/Closing Ceremonies
Sage Courchene
Environment
Peggy Guimond
Accommodations
Allan Courchene
Medical, Sponsorship, Headquarters, Sport Committee/Director - Lacrosse
Laurie Guimond
Security
OPEN POSITION
Food Services
Wanda Lee
Transportation
Jazmyn Desarlais
Volunteers - Brokenhead, Sport Committee/Director – Ball Hockey
OPEN POSITION
Volunteers – Black River
OPEN POSITION
Volunteers – Hollow Water
OPEN POSITION
Volunteers – Powerview/Pine Falls
Dixie Courchene
Games Signage
Jennifer Morrisseau – Soldier
Games Signage
Allan Actimchuk
Sport Committee/Director – 3D Archery
Tom Paukovic
Sport Committee/Director – 3D Archery
Pauline Guimond
Sport Committee/Director – Ball Hockey
Marcel Lemire
Sport Committee/Director – Dragon Boat
Ivan Davis
Sport Committee/Director – Golf
Darren Guimond
Sport Committee/Director – Golf
Municipal Representatives
EJ Fontaine
Chief
Sagkeeng
Vern Guimond
Councillor
Sagkeeng
Tania Bunn
Councillor
Sagkeeng
Dylan Courchene
Councillor
Sagkeeng
Wendell Sinclair Jr
Councillor
Brokenhead
Henry Moneas
Councillor
Hollow Water
Sheldon Kent
Chief
Black River
Nelson Bird
Councillor
Black River
Les Barclay
Mayor
Powerview/Pine Falls
Randy Desjarlais
Councillor
Powerview/Pine Falls
Ken Lodge
Mayor/Local MMF President
Lac Du Bonnet
Tim Garand
MMF President
Powerview/Pine Falls