Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities
We are the Indigenous Sport Unit at Sport Canada. We deliver the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) component of the Sport Support Program (SSP).
SSDIC supports diverse Indigenous communities across Canada by funding Indigenous nations and organizations who deliver sport and recreation opportunities within communities. SSDIC offers flexibility that supports Indigenous communities and organizations to self-determine their own social development goals and how to go about achieving them.
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SSDIC funding is delivered through 3 streams:
- Stream One: funding is available annually to the 13 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs) and the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) for the development of sport community programming
- Stream Two: funding is available annually to Indigenous governments, communities and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations for projects that promote sport and recreation in Indigenous communities
- Stream Three: funding is available annually to Indigenous governments, communities and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations that specifically support sport and recreation projects serving Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples
Definition of sport
Recognizing and respecting that there are many important cultural approaches to health and wellness in Indigenous communities the definition of sport is broader for the SSDIC program than that which Sport Canada uses for high performance sport. Therefore, eligible activities under the SSDIC program can include:
- Traditional and cultural sports (for example, snowshoeing, Inuit games, snow snake game, traditional dance)
- Non-traditional sports (for example, skateboarding, bowling, dance)
- Physical activities (for example, pow-wow dancing, berry picking, etc.).
Ultimately, it is up to the Indigenous organizations and communities receiving project funding to determine what is appropriate for their needs.
SSDIC social development goals
SSDIC was created in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action (CTA). The CTA are integrated into SSDIC’s social development goals. Stream One and Stream Two support the following social development goals:
- improved health
- improved education
- increased employability
- reduction of at-risk behaviour
SSDIC Stream Three was created in response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Drawn from the MMIWG Calls for Justice, Stream Three's social development goals focus on:
- physical and mental health
- suicide prevention
- sexual trafficking awareness and prevention
- safe and healthy relationships
- sexual positivity (2SLGBTQI+)
Contact us
We would love to hear from you! The best way to reach us is by email.
- sportcanada.ssdsca-ssdic.sportcanada@pch.gc.ca
- Address
- Sport Support Program
Department of Canadian Heritage
15 Eddy St
Gatineau QC J8X 4B3 - Telephone
-
To speak to a representative of SSDIC, please send an email to sportcanada.ssdsca-ssdic.sportcanada@pch.gc.ca and indicate a phone number where you can be reached. A representative will contact you within 2 weeks.
If you are unable to send emails, you can call at 1-866-811-0055 (toll-free number) and leave a contact number with the Call Centre Agent. A representative of the Indigenous Sport Unit will contact you within the service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs.
- Customer Support Line
- 1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)
- TTY
- 1-888-997-3123 (toll-free)
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