The City of Winnipeg is considering making a bid to host the inaugural World Indigenous Games.

The mayor's cabinet voted Wednesday morning to look into bringing the event to the city in 2012.

'We need to set some goals and some visions that are magnificent.'— Dan Vandal, councillor

The games are a global version of the North American Indigenous Games, which are held every four years and involve 6,000 to 10,000 indigenous athletes from the United States and Canada.

The World Indigenous Games, sanctioned by the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee, are expected to attract a much larger contingent of athletes, coaches and supporters, with millions of dollars in economic activity.

Cost to be shared

The cost to host the games could be in the range of $10 million to $12 million, according to Winnipeg city Coun. Dan Vandal, who pitched the idea during a meeting of the city's executive policy committee.

Vandal expects the cost would be split by the three levels of government.

"It sends a tremendous message to our aboriginal population in the city that this is a goal to reach to," he said. "I really believe in the spirit of athletics and recreation, and I think that's what we need. We need to set some goals and some visions that are magnificent."

Winnipeg has experience hosting multi-sport events, including the North American Indigenous Games in 2002 and the Pan American Games in 1999 as well as 1967.

City administrators will now look into the feasibility of hosting the games and report back to the committee.