Backgrounder: Detailed list of 2023–2024 Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Stream Three recipients
Backgrounder
VICTORIA, March 1, 2024
Detailed list of 2023–2024 Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) Stream Three recipients:
| Recipient | Province | Project Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aqsarniit Middle School | Nunavut | This project will provide equipment to the Iqailisarvik facility that will support the delivery of physical health programs. Over 450 participants will participate in strength-building exercises, cardiovascular training, yoga and Arctic sports programs. |
| Canadian Canoe Foundation | Quebec | This project will create the opportunity for female Inuit youth to participate in a trauma-informed canoe camp. Ayalik, an Inuit fund specializing in experiential learning programs that empower Inuit youth, will be leading the canoe camp. The camp will be supported by mental health counsellors and outdoor experts. Youth will learn survival and skill-building experience and training and can receive a paddle certification. |
| Clan Mothers Turtle Lodge | Manitoba | This project is rooted in traditional Indigenous healing practices that are guided by the spirit, body and mind. The Clan Mothers Healing Village will provide the space and equipment to allow for this by integrating Indigenous traditional sports and activities into a trauma therapy model. Participants will be guided by ceremony, and will have access to land-based activities and Elders. The holistic approach of this program supports patient participants to build movement skills, as well as fundamental skills in sport. |
| File Hills Qu’appelle Tribal Council Inc. | Multiple provinces | The Wellness Mentoring Program for Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ project will design and deliver three modules. Module 1 will create a supportive environment for mental health education, building healthy relationships and harm reduction strategies. Module 2 will be led by Elders and Knowledge Keepers for Indigenous cultural healing. Module 3 focuses on holistic approaches to health and well-being by offering nutrition education, sport and traditional games activities. |
| First Light | Newfoundland and Labrador | The Indigenous Girls and Women in Sport (IGWIS) Teams project will promote health and wellness by facilitating organized sports teams for Indigenous girls and women in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Participants will have access to a variety of sports such as volleyball, basketball, soccer and ball hockey. The Indigenous Girls and Women in Sport Summer Sports Camp project will provide a week-long summer camp for Indigenous girls aged 9 to 13. Campers will learn skill building through sports, create new relationships and take part in health promotion education. |
| Fort Severn | Multiple provinces | The project funding will support culturally guided seminars and gatherings led by Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Indigenous girls will learn cultural teachings, education on well-being for physical and mental health, and healthy relationships. In addition to the gatherings, the girls will be able to participate in organized team sports. |
| Hishkoonikun Education Authority | Ontario | The main initiative is a seasonal Girls Retreat program. The program will bring girls together throughout the year to learn about taking care of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self. There will be gatherings on the land where Indigenous girls aged 12 to 18 will travel traditionally to a camp by snowshoe and canoe along with guides and Elders. While out at the camp, they will take part in traditional physical activity and attend other workshops focusing on the rest of the medicine circle. |
| Indigenous Women Rise Society | Multiple provinces | The Physical Activities to Inspire Indigenous Women, Youth and Girls project will offer a variety of sport, recreation and traditional games opportunities. Examples of the sport and recreation activities include rock climbing, powwow zumba classes, snowshoeing and many more. The objective of the activities is to create a sense of belonging and self-esteem for participants. |
| Institut Tshakapesh (FR) | Quebec | This funding will be used to create and support an inter-community volleyball league. Communities will host games and will have the chance to travel to neighbouring communities to compete. The goal is to bring women together from multiple communities and create a network to stay connected and promote positive self-esteem and mental health. |
| Jays Care Foundation | Multiple provinces | The funding will be used to facilitate partnerships with schools and organizations for baseball programming in Indigenous communities across Canada. Indigenous girls will participate in programming that is inclusive, trauma-informed and team-oriented for eight+ weeks. Indigenous leaders will help inform these programs to ensure they are community-driven and will increase overall access to sport for girls. Schools and organizations will be supplied with resources, tools for engagement and equipment. |
| Kebaowek First Nation - Health & Wellness Center | Multiple provinces | The Girls Can Move Too!! project will have Indigenous girls aged 5 to 17 learn how to make fancy shawls and practise fancy shawl dancing. The hired facilitator will integrate fancy shawl teachings within sport and recreation to provide the girls with cultural knowledge. |
| Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Education Authority Ltd. | Alberta | The funding will provide the opportunity for Indigenous girls to attend a retreat and participate in a sports mentoring program. The retreat will facilitate education sessions on physical well-being, suicide prevention, sexual trafficking awareness, healthy relationships and sexual positivity. The sport mentoring program will connect female students in the Girls in Sport program with female KTC nation athletes. |
| Kenora Chiefs Advisory | Ontario | This project will fund a walk and run program to support MMIWG. An Elder blessing and presence will guide the event in a cultural way. Following the walk and run program, the community will celebrate with a feast to honour the strength of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples. |
| Lennox Island First Nation | Prince Edward Island | The funding will be used to create an Elementary Active Girls Leadership Series. The Series will provide education to address physical and mental health, suicide prevention, online awareness, safe and healthy relationships, and sexual positivity. In addition to the Learning Series, two Indigenous women events will be hosted, along with a larger event to honour International Women`s Day. |
| Liard First Nation | Multiple provinces | The Enhancing On-the-land Activities for Indigenous Women and Gender-Diverse Youth program will partner with schools to develop an after-school program offering traditional sporting activities. Training will be provided for the Sports Program Coordinator to deliver and coordinate sports programs for youth. |
| Little Red River Cree Nation | Alberta | This project engages Indigenous girls, aged 12 to 19, by providing youth with a leadership development opportunity. Older youth participants will learn to facilitate sport opportunities for younger children and youth in their communities. Participants will receive coach training and other certifications, while re-imagining sport as a community recreation opportunity, specific to girls. |
| Metis Central Western Region II | Saskatchewan | The City of Prince Albert Aquatic Centre-Lifeguard Program aims to create opportunities for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ community members in non-conventional sporting activities that will lead to employment opportunities and personal development. Aquatic activities such as swimming, scuba diving and sailing are gaining popularity and create avenues for growth and connection for community members. This project builds sustainable capacity and empowers Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples by providing Red Cross swimming and water safety courses. |
| Mohawk Council of Kahnawake | Multiple provinces | The funding will support the Hockey and Softball program and the Traditional Art and Beadwork program. Participants will learn hockey and softball in a training program focusing on stretching, balance, coordination, core conditioning, agility and learning team-building skills. The Traditional Art and Beadwork program will teach participants traditional Iroquoian art, sewing and beading. A hired artist will assist in creating patterns, teach designing techniques and guide participants to create a traditional Iroquoian outfit. |
| Montana First Nation | Alberta | The Akamihk Miyonpimatisowin (Living the Good Life) Program will coordinate a cultural camp and sport activities for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples. At the cultural camp, people will participate in cultural ceremonies such as sweats, hiking, gathering of plants and medicines, ribbon skirt making, and many more activities. Other planned activities for participants are self-defence courses, health and family planning, community screenings for diabetes and STIs, and coordinated domestic violence workshops. Participants will have access to play in a variety of sports programs like basketball, hockey, volleyball, track and field, and softball. |
| Montreal Lake Cree Nation | Saskatchewan | The Sôhkêthimow project—the Cree word for she is brave, bold and confident—is a holistic approach to wellness for Indigenous girls. The girls will participate in wellness events co-facilitated by athletes in the Huskies Athletics program. Mentorship opportunities will be scheduled into the school day. The girls will have access to training and certifications for first aid, mental health first aid, healthy relationships, etc. Post-grad activities for girls in high school will include employment support, assistance with post-secondary applications and interview preparation. |
| NEC Native Education College | Multiple provinces | The Sport and Cultural Connection Program will offer sport and cultural recreation activities for students at the college. They will learn skills to aid in creating healthy relationships through cultural teachings on roles and responsibilities. Resources will be provided to students alongside the hiring of staff with experience in community work. |
| Northern Games Society | Northwest Territories | This funding will be used to support women to travel to and participate in the Northern Games. The project will also support the creation of a recommendation report for how to make future games more gender-inclusive and host a safe space for youth to practise at the games. |
| Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan | Quebec | Funding will be used for a variety of activities to bring girls, women and 2SPLGBTQI+ together. Activities such as tournament training, self-esteem workshops and camping will help provide a safe space and create a community network. |
| Rainy River First Nations Seikido Taekwondo Club Inc. | Ontario | The funding will support the Warrior Women & Can’t Touch This Will Run Side by Side program. Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people will participate in self-defense training and workshops on body autonomy, consent, sex trafficking awareness, abuse prevention, and sexuality and gender. |
| Seabird Island Band | Multiple provinces | The funding will support the following programs and initiatives: Girl Power!, Mom Power and ME Power. The Girl Power! Program will host an event for Indigenous women and girls, and will offer a bi-weekly series of sport activities such as swimming, cycling, soccer, etc. The Girl Power! event will have guest speakers on topics like self-esteem, communication, healthy relationships, team sports competition and nutrition. The Mom Power program is a weekly drop-in style program for mothers with young children and infants. Programming will include organized sport activities, workshops, and facilitated sessions on relationship building and mom-to-mom networking. ME Power is an initiative that will build on community needs and consultations to inform sport procedures and policy development for the Band. |
| Sheguiandah First Nation | Ontario | The funding will support the Awakening the Power of Indigenous Women program. The program will offer seasonal sporting events, cultural land-based activities and workshops. Women will have the opportunity to receive coaching certification and access to mentoring. Workshops will address traditional physical and mental health grounding, harm reduction, and healthy relationships. |
| Shubenacadie Band Council | Nova Scotia | Building a Stronger Community is a well-being retreat for girls, women and 2SLGBTQI+ people. They will participate in a series of workshops on self-care, sexuality, sport, nutrition and building healthy relationships. Mental health first aid and applied suicide intervention skills training will also be offered. Participants will have the opportunity to play in volleyball and softball tournaments and attend a variety of fitness classes. |
| Sport Nunavut | Nunavut | This funding will focus on girls and women in coaching and provide sport activities for skill development. The professional development and learnings from the coaching certification will support the community objective of sustainability in sport and recreation. |
| The Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres Inc. | Manitoba | The funding will support a program coordinator to engage participants at 11 friendship centres throughout the province. Sports activities to promote healthy lifestyles, and educational workshops on sexual health, personal safety, sexual trafficking, positive sexuality and healthy relationships will be offered. |
| Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve No. 292 | Multiple provinces | The funding will support the Use of Sport as a Tool to Build a Healthy Alternative Path for Women program. The program will include community outreach and the delivery of sessions on health, sexual positivity, suicide prevention and sexual trafficking awareness. Women will play in organized sport activities and have access to equipment for league sports. |
| Tsuut’ina Nation | Multiple provinces | The funding will support the Tsuut’ina 7 Chiefs Hockey program and the Indigenous Female Hockey Camp. The three-day hockey camp will provide ice time, yoga classes and dryland sessions. Motivational speakers will inspire participants on their hockey journey, raise awareness, and provide support and resources. |
| Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service | Multiple provinces | The Bringing them Home project’s objective is to restore traditional culture in sport. Elders will design and teach traditional dance, hand games, ribbon skirt making, hunting and tipi building while providing the cultural teachings of the land. A holistic approach to the program will connect sport activities like cycling, organized walks and fun runs to community supports and resources. Facilitated education sessions on sex trafficking, 2SLGBTQI+ teachings on two-spirit identity awareness and safeguarding sport will be coordinated for participants to attend. |
| Tzeachten Youth Soccer Association | Multiple provinces | The funding will support the She Kicks program and the Indigenous Culture and Capacity Building initiative. She Kicks is a soccer program designed for women by women that offers recruitment strategies, staff training for working with youth, development resources and program review. The Indigenous Culture and Capacity Building initiative is to provide education on the history of colonization and raise awareness of its impact. New staff will receive cultural onboarding and parents will have access to cultural sessions. All teams involved in the initiative will participate in a cultural knowledge day. |
| Victoria Native Friendship Centre | British Columbia | The Women’s Warrior program will promote physical health by providing participants with access to a gym, personal training sessions and self-defence courses. The program operates with a cultural trauma-informed model to provide access and community connection for Indigenous female-identifying people who have experienced violence. |
| Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory | Ontario | The funding will support the hiring of a facilitator for the Girls and Women in Sports program. The facilitator will be trained in sexual trafficking prevention education, applied suicide intervention training and awareness of 2SLGBTQI+-related topics. Once trained, the facilitator will be equipped to deliver coordinated programming for girls, women and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples. |
| Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc. | New Brunswick | The Girls Get active program will expand youth programming in sport by creating opportunity for girls and female youth to engage in diverse physical activity that is inaccessible both logistically and financially for many community members. These sports include kickboxing, traditional/non-traditional dance classes and toddler gymnastics. The overall goal is to create accessible opportunities for various age groups. WTCI will host the activities within each community. This includes bringing in culturally informed facilitators or community members with the skills required to teach. |
| Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council | Yukon | The funding will support both the Youth in Sports and On the Land Camp programs by providing equipment and supplies. The Youth in Sports program will provide a variety of sport equipment such as balls, rackets and helmets that will be used by youth playing in team sports within the YAWC community. The On the Land Camp program connects healing through traditional practices and recreation. Each participant will receive the materials needed to prepare traditional clothing, medicines and equipment for land-based recreational activities. |
Contacts
For more information (media only), please contact:
John Fragos
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity
438-453-6913
john.fragos@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
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