More Sport Opportunities for Youth in Indigenous Communities

News release

GATINEAU, June 23, 2021

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Indigenous communities across the country in building stronger and healthier populations. The transformative power of sport plays an important role in achieving this goal. It builds self-esteem and leadership skills and allows children and youth to grow and thrive—physically, emotionally and mentally.

Recognizing that barriers to sport programs still exist in many Indigenous communities, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced the second round of funding recipients for the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) program component, which addresses the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action 7, 19 and 38.

In total, approximately 150 communities and 33,000 Indigenous youth will benefit from as much as $17.8 million funding investment from 2021 to 2023.

Of that total, as much as $10.6 million will be invested in the 13 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs), which deliver sport for social development projects, and to the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), which provides leadership and support to the PTASBs for their delivery of the SSDIC programming. In addition, Indigenous governments, communities and organizations, including delivery organizations working in collaboration with Indigenous communities, will receive as much as $7.2 million in funding to deliver sport for social development projects in Indigenous communities in Canada.

The targeted social outcomes and activities for each project are identified and proposed by the Indigenous communities themselves, to ensure they address their own specific needs. This initiative helps Indigenous youth become more active and healthy, and reconnect with traditional activities and culture, in some cases.

Consult the Backgrounders for a detailed list of 2021-2023 Stream One and Stream Two recipients.

Quotes

ʺThrough this initiative, the Government of Canada is proud to support Indigenous community–led activities that use sport as a tool for positive social change. Each one of the projects offers great opportunities for Indigenous youth. That’s why I’m so excited about this initiative, which is truly changing their lives and the lives of their families.”

—The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage

“The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) deeply appreciates the ongoing commitment Sport Canada has made to the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) funding. The SSDIC funding demonstrates that Sport Canada understands and supports what the ASC has always believed: that access to, and opportunity in, Indigenous-driven sport and physical activity is critical to meaningful and tangible reconciliation. The ASC looks forward to our continued engagement with Sport Canada as we learn and work together to build healthier Indigenous communities.”

—Rob Newman, President, Aboriginal Sport Circle

Quick facts

  • Sport for social development is defined as the intentional use of sport or physical activity to achieve social outcomes. Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSIDC) is focused on supporting positive outcomes in the areas of health, education, at-risk behaviour and/or employability, consistent with priorities set out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.  

  • In this second round, Sport Canada established a new collaborative review process to include Indigenous stakeholders and federal regional office members in the review committee, ensuring regional and Indigenous knowledge in the project evaluation. Sport Canada also introduced a proportionate funding formula, ensuring a regionally proportionate allocation of funding.

  • The next call for applications for the program is planned for the summer of 2022 for the 2023-2025 fiscal years. 

  • The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in this country and supports sport participation and excellence through federal programs and policies.

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Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Camille Gagné-Raynauld
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
camille.gagne@canada.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

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