Flagstaff, AZ -- Native Americans will be having a heap big fun in Arizona, starting tomorrow (July 17).

How? Because of the first ever U.S. National Native American Games, an athletic competition designed to encourage Native Americans to participate in athletics.

Prior to becoming a national event it was local to Arizona, but because so few Native Americans attended, the games were expanded to include the whole Indian nation.

Organizers are expecting more than 2000 Native Americans from tribes around the country to participate in the basketball, volleyball, track and field and slow-pitch softball events

The official name of the competition -- the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games -- is meant to honor Lori Piestewa, who was killed in the Iraqi war several months ago, making her the first Native American woman in the U.S. military to ever be killed in combat.

According to event organizer, Erik Whidmark, Piestewa was an avid athlete, excelling at softball and volleyball.

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