FLYING DUST FIRST NATION — Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation are working together to host 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games.
This will mark the first time in the biennial multi-sport event program’s 52-year history that a city and First Nation have partnered in hosting, reports the Saskatchewan Games Council.
The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games will take place on Treaty 6 Territory from Feb. 15-21, 2026.
“Flying Dust First Nation is proud to co-host the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games with our neighbours,” the city of Meadow Lake. We are excited to be the first First Nation to co-host a provincial sporting event, setting a benchmark for other nations to host or co-host in future games,” says Chief Tyson Bear.
“The Saskatchewan Winter Games align perfectly with our shared goals, promoting sportsmanship, encouraging youth participation, community engagement and utilizing sport to develop the next generation of leaders.”
The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games will bring together upwards of 1,800 participants and 5,000 spectators from every corner of the province. The weeklong event will be supported by over 1,000 community volunteers and will drive up to $5 million to the local economy through tourism spending, capital investment and upgrades to sport facilities and equipment.
“… we look forward to having athletes and spectators from all over the province enjoy their time in Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation,” says Bear.
The neighbouring northwestern communities have histories of hosting major events. Flying Dust First Nation played host to the 2019 Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games, while Meadow Lake hosted the Saskatchewan Games in the summer of 2012. One of the major hubs of activity during the games will be the Co-Op Centre, a new multi-purpose arena and recreation facility that is slated to open in 2025.
The 2026 Games will be co-chaired by Davin Hildebrand, deputy director of Education with Northwest School Division; Dwight King, recreation co-ordinator with Flying Dust First Nation and Regan Beck, Parks and Recreation manager with the City of Meadow Lake.
The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games will feature 17 sports: alpine skiing, artistic swimming, badminton, biathlon, bowling (five-pin and Special Olympics), cross-country and para nordic skiing, curling, figure skating, futsal, gymnastics, judo, speed skating, table tennis, target shooting, weightlifting, wrestling and ringette, which last featured at the 1998 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Nipawin.
The City of Lloydminster is currently gearing up to host the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games, which will take place July 21-27.
