Backgrounder – 2022-2023 Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Stream Three Funded Applicants and Project Descriptions

Backgrounder

Reconciliation and Strength for Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples Through Sport 

Recipient Region Project description
First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) Quebec

Organization:

The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) is a non-profit organization that supports the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador in their efforts to, among other things, plan and deliver culturally appropriate and preventive health and social services programs. It is the designated Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body for Quebec, as recognized by the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC).

In November 2018, the First Nations Chiefs in Quebec awarded the sports and recreation mandate to the FNQLHSSC for an indeterminate period, specifying that an emphasis should be placed on youth while ensuring that a range of services are offered to the entire population, including mobility-impaired people and people with special needs.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

To encourage participation in sports and foster self-esteem, confidence and leadership among First Nations and Inuit girls and women in Quebec, the FNQLHSSC developed a project entitled Programming for Women and Girls consisting of five distinct initiatives that target different objectives.

  1. Community sports participation fund to support sport or physical activity projects for Indigenous girls and women.
  2. Media and promotional campaign focused on Indigenous women and girls in sport and physical activities or as cultural and social leaders. This campaign features inspiring role models, such as female Indigenous athletes, Elders, chiefs, and cultural leaders.
  3. Sexual health campaign, in collaboration with public health and nursing advisors from the Commission. This educational campaign promotes safe and healthy sexual relationships and behaviours through prevention tools such as information sheets, videos and posters to be distributed in the communities.
  4. Leadership au féminin training, in collaboration with Égale Action. This program offers leadership and coaching training for girls, focusing on community sport decision makers, coaches, and stakeholders who work with Indigenous women and girls to ensure a successful intervention.
  5. A committee of Indigenous women experts is to be created to identify issues related to the participation of Indigenous women and girls in sport in their communities. This committee is tasked with finding viable solutions, sustainable actions, and making recommendations that will facilitate physical activity for Indigenous women and girls.
Aboriginal Sport and Recreation New Brunswick (ASRNB) New Brunswick

Organization:

Aboriginal Sport and Recreation New Brunswick (ASRNB) is the Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body for the province of New Brunswick. ASRNB is committed to guiding, mobilizing and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle through developing sport and recreation opportunities for Indigenous people in New Brunswick, with a focus on youth. Specifically, the organization’s vision is to provide the tools and means, through sport and recreation opportunities, to assist youth in achieving a higher level in competition and in life. Its vision also includes the commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable learning environment for Indigenous youth in New Brunswick.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

  1. The Female Youth Inclusive Empowerment Initiative consists of six 2SLGBTQQIA+ camps in two different territories: one in a Maliseet location and the other in Mi'kmaq location (Metepenagiag Heritage Park). These camps will be customized to take place over the course of several weekends and will allow for appropriate time for certification, cultural immersion, and other educational clinics throughout the program, such as nutrition. During the physical activities, program coordinators will be able to educate youth in different aspects of the land and culture. The activities will include various community-specific cultural learnings, training and certification for youth, as well as the introduction of mental health coping mechanisms and techniques including cultural teachings.
  2. The Female Sports Summit will seek to deliver two sport summits—one in Maliseet location and the other in Mi'kmaq territory—to meet community-identified needs and priorities of Indigenous women and girls and to bring awareness. The areas of focus are drawn from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Calls for Justice. With the inclusion of different organizations, ASRNB hopes to provide the tools for the communities to use not just within their sport but in their everyday lives.
  3. The Female Empowerment Golf Challenge with PEI Sport Circle Initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Prince Edward Island Sport Circle, will allow youth from both provinces to learn new techniques about golf. ASRNB has identified that there are multiple youth with mental health issues, and golf was one of the activities that they have requested. Sport is a tool for personal and social development that ASRNB is interested in building within Indigenous communities. One weekend will take place in New Brunswick, and the second weekend in Prince Edward Island. Each initiative will be offered to all communities within both provinces.
Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) British Columbia

Organization:

The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) was created in 2009 when a historic agreement between the First Nations Health Council, the British Columbia Association of Friendship Centres and the Métis Nation British Columbia was signed, pledging that all associations would work together to plan and develop a long-term process to implement the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy. The primary goal of the Strategy is to improve the health outcomes of Indigenous people across British Columbia by supporting and encouraging physically active communities and by expanding access to sport and recreation opportunities.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

With the new Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) Stream Three funding, I·SPARC will be supporting the development and delivery of community-based projects seeking to offer sport and cultural activities to meet the community-identified needs and priorities of Indigenous women and girls. I·SPARC’s projects invite provincewide participation in physical activity to raise awareness of MMIWG and provides emotional support to the families who have experienced trauma and loss by running and walking together toward a hopeful future where there is no violence against Indigenous women and girls. The projects provide opportunities for intergenerational participation and community healing through moving together and break down barriers by providing no-cost activity options for people of all abilities. The projects redirect the narrative on the MMIWG women and girls by taking them from a statistic to telling their stories (“She is Somebody”) and raises public awareness on MMIWG and system changes needed to address the lack of education and barriers to transportation (for instance, bus routes and “no hitchhiking" signage). I·SPARC will deliver educational series and activities to meet community-identified needs and priorities of Indigenous women and girls as guided by a Provincial Advisory Committee; emphasis/focus will be drawn from the MMIWG Calls for Justice.

  1. The Tears to Hope Relay is a provincial running relay event to raise awareness of the MMIWG along the Highway of Tears (Highway 16) in Northern British Columbia. The event includes an in-person run relay as well as a virtual component that allows both runners and walkers to participate province-wide. This initiative invites province-wide participation in physical activity to raise awareness of the MMIWG crisis while providing emotional support to the families who have experienced trauma and loss. By running and walking together toward a hopeful future where there is no violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council is providing opportunities for intergenerational participation and community healing and providing no cost activity options for participants of all abilities.
  2. The Indigenous Women and Girls Educational Workshop Series will see ISPARC deliver numerous in-person and e-modules covering topics that affect Indigenous women and girls and their participation in sport and physical activity. This educational initiative will provide tools to address health and wellness, as well as the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples in an accessible and engaging way, including experts, speakers, and panelists delivering workshops on topics that align with the Stream Three social development goals drawn from the MMIWG areas of focus. The content of these workshops will be guided by the British Columbia Provincial Advisory Committee and emphasis will be informed by the MMIWG Calls for Justice. The workshop series coordinator will play a central role in liaising with the Tears to Hope Society to fully engage these valuable partners and the program participants in this valuable collaborative educational initiative.
Indigenous Sport Wellness Ontario (ISWO) Ontario

Organization:

As the Provincial-Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body for Ontario, Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) develops and delivers sport, recreation and leadership programs to Indigenous people across Ontario. ISWO is also the designated sport body for the development, selection and management of Team Ontario for participation in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) and North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). ISWO serves all Indigenous Peoples and communities across Ontario, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, living on- and off-reserve, in rural and urban settings, encompassing more than 350,000 Indigenous people across the province.

ISWO believes that sport has the power to change lives. Its mandate is to develop and deliver opportunities for participation in sport and cultural and leadership activities, which promote wellness and positive lifestyles for Indigenous people across Ontario.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

With the new SSDIC Stream Three Interim Process funding, ISWO will be supporting the development and delivery of community-based projects seeking to offer sport and cultural activities to meet community-identified needs and priorities of Indigenous women and girls. Physical, psychological, time-based, interpersonal and programming barriers, and access to opportunities have a significant detrimental effect on participation, leadership and performance of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in sport. Reasons for hindering engagement and participation may include negative perceptions of one’s own physical abilities, sense of vulnerability, social isolation, discrimination, and the sexualization, objectification and surveillance of women’s bodies.

Therefore, ISWO’s SSDIC Stream Three project will serve to increase the self-worth, empowerment and awareness of the participants by providing active tools for coping with issues, as well as positive outlets that support growth and development and increase awareness of what changes can happen through education, employment and sport.

  1. The Women Rising project will host seven regional conferences using a multi-sport camp approach that divides each day into sessions that include educational activities such as information sessions, as well as sport and physical activities. The format will offer participants of all backgrounds, skill levels and athletic abilities the opportunity to participate. The blended event format is based on an existing and successful ISWO program model. The information sessions will cover a myriad of topics including self-confidence, post-secondary and career education, traditional and cultural teachings, self-defence, and sexual health.
Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASRCNL) Newfoundland and Labrador

Organization:

The Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. (ASRCNL) is the Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. ASRCNL objectives are to increase the capacity and participation opportunities for Indigenous athletes, coaches and officials in sport. To help achieve these objectives, ASRCNL hosts athlete development camps, as well as clinics for coaches and officials across the regions of Newfoundland and Labrador.

ASRCNL intertwines Indigenous knowledge within sport and recreation. Barriers to accessing sport and recreation are tackled through empowerment of the Indigenous recipients. Programs are provide with the premise of knowledge sharing, building networks for support, creating community spaces and resource development.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

  1. You GO...Girl! focuses on four key components: Healthy Living, Healthy Eating, Sport/Physical Activity and Culture. The goal of every session is to build participants’ self-esteem, self-acceptance, and leadership in their own community, and to provide an opportunity to learn new things. Supporting Indigenous youth from approximately 9 to 12 years of age, each participant is encouraged and supported to be positive and have fun while engaging in new experiences of their choosing. The aim of this initiative is to increase their awareness and self-efficacy in how to lead active and healthy lifestyles. The project will reach 10 communities across the province, build capacity by providing training sessions for female leaders to deliver programs, and create pathways for cultural support provided by Elders.
Indigenous Sport Council Alberta (ISCA) Alberta

Organization:

The Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta (ISCA) is a registered non-profit provincial multisport organization that represents all First Nation, Métis and Inuit youth in the province of Alberta. The ISCA Board of Directors comprises nine members representing the North, Central and South Regions of Alberta. The ISCA’s vision is to create physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health and wellness through sport, physical activity and recreation for Indigenous individuals, families and communities of Alberta.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

  1. With their Stream Three funding, ISCA will be partnering with Indigenous women’s organizations in Alberta to develop a collaborative suite of educational programs and services to support Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people on self-defence, body image, basic human rights, cultural and family history, women’s empowerment, and culture. Developing and delivering online and in-person self-defence classes, creating video series on body image, self-love, healthy eating, taking care of your health and fitness on a budget, basic human rights, and virtual fitness challenges, and providing cultural and family supports are all part of this initiative.
Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council Inc. (MASRC) Manitoba

Organization:

The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council’s (MASRC) vision mission and mandate is to empower the Indigenous people of Manitoba to take opportunities to live a positive, healthy lifestyle through the vehicle of sport and recreation. Its programs throughout the years have always considered social development outcomes, specifically employability and education.

Prior to the SSDIC funding, the organization provided opportunities to participate in sport programs, sport tournaments and coach education to all of Manitoba. It also has a community consulting program that runs year-round and allows it to have frequent, meaningful conversations with community stakeholders about current program needs, gaps and priorities. It was a staff team of 4 people that has now grown into 14. It now has the operational and technological capacity to serve its communities with efficient online programs, which gives it greater access to much-needed resources to better lead their sport and recreation programs.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

MASRC will run two projects with its Stream Three funding that are in direct response to needs identified by the community. This includes addressing the lack of sport-specific programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, as well as providing programming for women and girls to better themselves physically and mentally following their battles with poverty, addiction, and sexual exploitation. These projects will not only improve the physical and mental health of the participants, but will also foster great self-confidence and self-esteem, leading to safe and healthy relationships, sexual positivity and suicide prevention.

  1. EmpowHer is a sport- and education-focused program geared towards Indigenous girls aged 12 to 17. The purpose of this program is to use an accessible sport, in conjunction with education, to empower and equip Indigenous girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people living in Winnipeg’s inner city, as well as other communities in Manitoba. This will be done by running basketball camps while also providing them with access to teachers, tutors, and educational assistants to help them complete their homework, offer test/exam preparation, and assistance with scholarships, bursaries or post-secondary applications.
  2. Learn to Run Program is a running program to be held in various locations across Winnipeg and Manitoba to teach the fundamentals of running to Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people aged 10 and up. It is a beginner program to encourage participants to become physically active, to form new and positive relationships, and to increase their self-esteem.
Sport and Recreation Division – Government of Nunavut Nunavut

Organization:

The Government of Nunavut’s Sport and Recreation Division is responsible for the promotion, development, and delivery of sport, recreation and physical activity opportunities for all Nunavummiut. The Division works with the 25 Nunavut municipalities and a number of non-profit organizations with a mandate to enhance sport and recreation activities in Nunavut.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

The Government of Nunavut’s Sport and Recreation Division is supporting two projects with its Stream Three funding:

  1. The first project involves collaborating with other Inuit organizations and other Government of Nunavut departments to develop a three-to-five-month campaign that will reach Indigenous youth aged 12 to 18 through current social media platforms, at schools, and in community locations. This outreach and service program is in conjunction with a sister campaign supporting Indigenous women and mothers participating in physical activity and sport.
  2. The second project consists of distributing funding through a call for proposals from community groups for projects that focus on Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in physical activity and sport, supporting the 25 remote fly-in communities.
Mi’kmaw Sport Council of Nova Scotia (MSCNS) Nova Scotia

Organization:

The Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey (MK), representing the Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey member community, is a unified team of chiefs, staff, parents and educators serving as the collective voice for Mi’kmaw education in Nova Scotia. The organization’s mission is to actively promote excellence in Mi’kmaq education, interests and rights for communities and to facilitate the development of lifelong learning. It achieves these goals in two ways: (1) engaging every community, learner and teacher to live their dreams, including the power to broaden the meaning of education and supporting dreams that are achievable for each student to the extent of their possibilities, interests, and (2) responding to the needs of Mi’kmaq communities and students in attaining an education enabling them to be the best they can be at every stage of their educational journey. MK’s vision is to ensure a successful and holistic life-long journey rooted in Mi’kmaq language and culture. The Mi’kmaq Sport Council of Nova Scotia (MSCNS), which is housed within MK, delivers their SSDIC programming.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

  1. With their SSDIC Stream Three funding, MSCNS will host a series of information, education, and skills training sessions that will be held in all the Indigenous communities in Nova Scotia. Topics will include physical fitness training, mental health, sexual trafficking awareness and prevention, safe and healthy relationships, and sexual positivity (2SLGBTQI+). These sessions will also involve teaching martial arts self-defence training and techniques, which will promote and provide skills that will enhance safety and awareness for youth.
PEI Aboriginal Sport Circle -
Mi'kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI)
Prince Edward Island

Organization:

The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI) is the Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body for the province of Prince Edward Island. This tribal council is an advocacy and service delivery organization in the areas of sports, education, health, justice and family. Its mandate focuses on healthy living and increasing opportunities for accessing sport for Indigenous people, specifically youth, by delivering regional sporting events, camps, training and tournaments.

Programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people:

MCPEI’s SSDIC Stream 3 funding is delivered across two projects.

  1. In partnership with Aboriginal Sport and Recreation New Brunswick (ASRNB), MCPEI will deliver a female golf empowerment camp. The camp will be a designated safe space, inclusive and developmentally appropriate while building leadership competencies to help engage female youth in the area. Engagement extends beyond participation in the camp to include opening pathways and opportunities. A hired facilitator/presenter will create a foundational knowledge base of the game of golf and sport development. Participants will be supported by an Elder, who will provide connection to cultural teachings and ceremony by opening and closing prayers.
  2. MCPEI’s second project involves hiring two Girls and Women in Sport Program Coordinators, who will oversee all aspects of the Girls and Women in Sport Program. Coordinators will deliver programs and services directly to women/girls to communities in the area. They will work closely with the communities to deliver small group sessions on physical and mental health, suicide prevention, sexual trafficking awareness and prevention, safe and healthy relationships, and sexual positivity. Another objective is to create a women’s golf team along with other physical activities to promote more inclusive settings for women and girls. Other roles and responsibilities of the coordinators include planning activities, promoting sport to women and girls, securing supplies and rental spaces, and establishing a community network through partnerships with organizations and professionals to deliver sporting programs.

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Ariane Joazard-Bélizaire
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
ariane.joazard-belizaire@pch.gc.ca

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

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