The Lori Piestewa National Native American Games are one of the nation’s largest Native American sports festivals of its kind with a track record of participation from more than 21 states, 119 cities and 72 tribes.

All of the events take place in and around the Fort McDowell and Salt River reservations, as well as the Fountain Hills community.

Hundreds of athletes have registered to take part in this storied event that has become a summer tradition in honor of fallen soldier Lori Piestewa.

The festival was created to honor Piestewa’s service and to share her love of sports in the hopes of inspiring others, athlete or not, to succeed and believe in their abilities.

The festival, held July 10-14, hosts seven sports for athletes to participate in: basketball, baseball, cross-country, softball, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling, all of which give competitors a chance to bring home gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Registration for the Native Games is open to athletes of all ages and abilities. Athletes can go to the Grand Canyon State Games website, www.gcsg.org, and register online.

Athletes can also register for the games by downloading the entry form and mailing it to the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission office at 2120 E. 6th Street, suite 4, Tempe, AZ 85281 or fax the entry form to the PRSC office at (480) 517-9739.

For further information, visit the Grand Canyon State Games website or call the main office at (480) 517-9700.