Several Portage la Prairie athletes are heading to Toronto for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games.

One of those athletes is 15-year-old Portage Collegiate student Devon Borody who's heading out to take part in the 16U Women's Volleyball.

"The coach saw me play at the Manitoba Games, and I competed against his club season throughout our club season," says Borody. "It's exciting to be a part of the team. I really didn't think I'd be getting picked on this team and I'm just excited to be playing with new people."

Borody packs a punch on the left side as she's got the height and vertical leap to get her hits down toward her opponents. She says it's more about having a good time and taking everything in while she's there.

"We've been practicing quite a bit, but it's worth it," says Borody. "We leave at 5 in the morning so we're meeting at the community club at 1 a.m. before we head out. We're also going to get to go to Canada's Wonderland and watch all the other sports as well."

Portager Darius Stevens will be playing for the U19 volleyball team at NAIG. 

"The tryouts were last year in the summer, and I found out I made the team in September," says Stevens. "It was strongly encouraged that we play on our club teams, but we also had power practice weekends. Throughout the year we had about a half-dozen of these power practice weekends. The team's from all over Manitoba so we'd meet kind of at the best suited area for everyone."

This is Stevens' second NAIG competition and she's expecting it to be much bigger since it's in Toronto this year.

"Everyone comes out for the Opening Ceremonies and lines up. We're all wearing out Team Manitoba gear and we all hold our flag," says Stevens when asked about the opening ceremony celebration. "It's crazy because you look out and it's all different colours because of all the teams and flags. I'm looking forward to getting out and enjoying myself while I'm there because this is the last time I'll be able to participate."

Borody and Stevens will be joined by fellow volleyball players Sierra Myran and Gabrielle Wishart. Leticia Overton is heading out with the athletics team. The event runs from July 16th, to July 23rd, and the volleball tournament starts Wednesday the 19th.

Find a full list of athletes from around the region below.

Portage La Prairie:
Devon Borody - Volleyball
Siearra Myran - Volleyball
Darius Stevens - Volleyball
Gabrielle Wishart - Volleyball
Leticia Overton - Athletics
Carman, MB:
Reighlyn Turner-Cummer - Soccer
Cartier, MB:
Nikki Gebken
Oak Point, MB:
Stefanie Byron - Softball
Saint Laurent:
Melanie Lambert - Basketball
Garnet Sinclair - Badminton

Mykenna Knutson (Status to Long Plain) but lives in Opaskwayak
Noah Houle (Status to Long Plain) but lives in Winnipeg
Kaiyra Delaronde (status to Sandy Bay) but lives in Winnipeg
Brook-lynn McIvor (status to Sandy Bay) but lives in Winnipeg
Danielle Sinclair (status to Sandy Bay) but lives in Winnipeg